A URL shortener that shows where a link goes
Long addresses break in emails, look messy in print and do not fit on a slide. This URL shortener turns any long URL into a short link like freebiefy.com/s/Ab3dE9x, with a QR code for flyers and posters and a private click counter. It is free, needs no account and works on any device.
What makes it different from Bitly or TinyURL: a Freebiefy short link never jumps to its destination without warning. It opens a preview page that shows the website name in large type and the full address below it, then the visitor presses Continue. A classic short link can hide a fake bank page behind a harmless-looking address. With a preview page that trick does not work, and people can open your link with confidence.
How we keep short links safe
Before a short link is made, our server opens the address once, follows every redirect and checks each step, against Google Web Risk too when it is enabled. An address is refused when it falls into one of these groups:
| Refused | Why |
|---|---|
| Other URL shorteners | bit.ly, TinyURL, t.co and the like. A short link to a short link hides the real destination, so shorten the original address. |
| IP addresses and local networks | Addresses like 192.168.0.1, localhost or a domain that points into a private network. |
| Look-alike addresses | Domains that imitate a bank, a shop or a login page, such as paypal.com.secure-check.net or names written with letters from another alphabet. |
| Program files | Direct links to .exe, .apk, .msi, .bat, .jar and other files that run when opened. Link to the download page instead. |
| Tunnels and anonymous file hosts | Temporary tunnels, dynamic DNS names and upload sites without accounts, which are often used to spread malware. |
| Pages that do not answer | Addresses that do not load, answer with 404, or forward to any of the above. |
Some links are allowed but get a clear warning on the preview page: plain http without encryption, pages on free hosting services, shared files and downloads, online forms, and addresses that mention a big brand without being that brand's site. Every preview page also has a Report button. When 3 different people report a link, it is paused until we have reviewed it.
Rules for short links
- Not allowed: illegal content, phishing, malware, spam and adult content.
- Checked by hand: links to sites we do not know yet work only after we have looked at them, usually within 24 hours. Links to well-known sites like Wikipedia, YouTube, GitHub or Amazon work at once.
- Reported links: we review every report and remove links that break these rules.
How to shorten a link
- 1Copy the long address from your browser's address bar and paste it into the field. The https:// part is optional.
- 2Press Shorten URL. The check takes a few seconds, because we load the page once to make sure it works.
- 3Copy the short link, or download the QR code as a PNG for print. Save the private stats link to see the clicks later.
Tips for short links that people click
- Say where it goes. Next to a short link, write a few words like "event tickets" or "our menu". People click links they understand.
- Test before you print. Scan the QR code with your phone and open the short link once before a flyer goes to the printer.
- Track campaigns with UTM tags. Add tags with the UTM builder first, then shorten the long tagged URL, so your analytics see where visitors come from.
- Need a styled code? The QR code generator adds colors, a logo and SVG export to any short link.
Frequently asked questions
Why does my short link open a preview page instead of the site?
Every Freebiefy short link shows its destination first, with the full address, the website name and a Continue button. That way nobody clicks blind, and nobody can hide a fake login page behind our domain. It costs one click, and it is the reason short links from this URL shortener are safe to open.
Why is my link waiting for review?
To keep scams off our domain, links to sites we do not know yet are checked by hand before they work, usually within 24 hours. Until then, the short link says it is waiting for review and does not show its destination. Links to well-known sites like Wikipedia, YouTube or Amazon work right away. A link that is not approved within 7 days is deleted.
How long does a short link work?
As long as it is used. A link that has not been clicked for 12 months may be deleted. Links that lead to phishing, malware or scams are switched off as soon as we learn about them, and a link that 3 different people report is paused until we have checked it. Reported links that break the rules are removed.
Can I see how many people clicked my link?
Yes. With every short link you get a private stats link that shows the total clicks and a click counter per day for the last 30 days. Keep it safe: it is shown only once, and anyone with the stats link can see the numbers. We count a click when someone presses Continue on the preview page.
Can I choose my own short link or edit the destination?
No. Codes are random, 7 letters and digits, so nobody can guess other links, and a destination cannot be changed after the link is made. That stops a harmless link from turning into a harmful one later. If you need a different destination, create a new short link.
Is it free, and do I need an account?
It is free and needs no account. To keep the service fair, you can create up to 10 short links per hour and 30 per day. Need more? Paid alternatives such as Bitly and Rebrandly offer plans with custom domains, a better fit for large campaigns.
What do you store about me?
The long address, the short code, the click counts and a salted hash of your IP address, which we use for the hourly limit and delete after 30 days. Your IP address itself is not stored. The details are in our privacy policy.