Custom Domain URL Shortener and Branded Short Links
A branded short link puts your name in the link itself, like go.yourbrand.com/summer-sale, instead of a shared shortener. It looks like you, builds trust before the click, and moves you off Bitly or Rebrandly without a manual process.
URLcut gives you two ways to brand: your own custom domain, or a free branded urlcut.ai subdomain that is live the moment you claim it. Both get automatic HTTPS, and each domain keeps its own slug pool so your names never collide with anyone else's.
Your own custom domain is on Pro: $12/mo early-adopter price (regular $25). Branded subdomains start on Basic.
Quick answer
URLcut puts your short links on a domain that carries your own name, either a custom domain you own like go.yourbrand.com/summer-sale or a branded urlcut.ai subdomain like yourbrand.urlcut.ai/summer-sale. To use your own domain you add two DNS records, a CNAME and a TXT record that verifies ownership, and URLcut issues and renews the HTTPS certificate for you. A branded urlcut.ai subdomain needs no DNS setup and is live the moment you claim it.
What is a branded link shortener?
A branded link shortener creates short links on a domain that carries your own name, like go.yourbrand.com/summer-sale, instead of a shared shortener domain. URLcut brands links two ways: on a custom domain you own, or on a urlcut.ai subdomain such as yourbrand.urlcut.ai.
Branded subdomain
Claim yourbrand.urlcut.ai/summer-sale and it is live instantly, with no DNS setup and automatic HTTPS. The quickest way to get a branded, collision-free namespace. Included from the Basic plan.
Your own custom domain
Custom domain linking serves your links on a domain you own, like go.yourbrand.com/early-bird. Add two DNS records, we verify ownership and issue the certificate. Full brand ownership, on the Pro plan.
Automatic HTTPS
Every branded link gets a free Let's Encrypt certificate, issued and renewed automatically. No certificate to buy, install, or remember to renew.
Per-domain slug pools
Each domain has its own private set of slugs. You can use summer-sale on your domain even if someone else uses it on theirs, so your names are yours.
How do you connect a custom domain to a URL shortener?
To put URLcut short links on your own domain, add the domain in your URLcut account and create the two DNS records it shows you, a CNAME and a TXT record that verifies ownership; the first click then issues the HTTPS certificate automatically. A branded urlcut.ai subdomain skips DNS entirely and is live in one click.
Claim or connect
Claim a yourbrand.urlcut.ai subdomain in one click, or add your own domain and create the two DNS records we show you (a CNAME and a TXT to verify ownership).
Shorten on your domain
When you create a link, pick your domain from the "Shorten on" dropdown. The short link now reads go.yourbrand.com/early-bird instead of a shared domain.
Share it anywhere
The first click issues the HTTPS certificate automatically, then every visit redirects to your destination. Copy it, generate a QR code, or drop it into a campaign.
Who uses branded short links?
Branded short links are used by anyone whose links are seen in public: agencies keeping each client's campaigns separate, online stores promoting sales, creators posting links that carry their own name, and events and campaigns that run on a domain of their own.
For agencies
Give every client their own branded domain and keep campaigns cleanly separated per client.
For e-commerce
Send shoppers to shop.yourbrand.com/spring-sale so promo links look like your store, not a shortener.
For creators
Grab a free you.urlcut.ai subdomain so every link you post carries your name.
For events and campaigns
Run summer-sale.yourbrand.com/tickets for a launch and retire it when the campaign ends.
Can you move existing branded links to your own domain?
You can recreate existing branded links on your own domain after connecting it to URLcut. Each domain has its own slug pool, so the same short names can be reused there if they are available on that domain.
What does a branded domain cost?
Your own custom domain is included in URLcut Pro, at the $12/mo early-adopter price instead of the regular $25, and a branded urlcut.ai subdomain starts on Basic. There is no certificate to buy, because HTTPS is issued and renewed for you.
Free
Free forever, no credit card
- Short links on urlcut.ai
- Readable AI slugs
- Basic analytics
- Permanent links (never expire)
Pro
Lock in $12/mo forever
- Your own custom domain (go.yourbrand.com)
- 3 branded urlcut.ai subdomains
- Automatic HTTPS
- Unlimited links, permanent
- Advanced analytics, city and device
- Custom QR codes with your colors and logo
Prefer a single branded subdomain? That starts on Basic. See the pricing page for full plan limits.
View full pricing detailsCustom domain and branded link FAQ
What is a branded short link?
A branded short link uses your own name instead of a shared shortener domain, like go.yourbrand.com/summer-sale or yourbrand.urlcut.ai/summer-sale. It looks like your brand, so people recognize and trust it before they click.
Does URLcut support custom domain linking?
Yes. Custom domain linking means your short links resolve on a domain you own, like go.yourbrand.com/early-bird, instead of a shared shortener domain. Connect the domain with two DNS records, we verify it and issue the HTTPS certificate, and every link you create on it is yours. Custom domain linking is on the Pro plan; branded urlcut.ai subdomains start on Basic.
What is the difference between a custom domain and a branded subdomain?
A custom domain is a domain you own, like go.yourbrand.com, connected with two DNS records. A branded subdomain is a name on our domain, like yourbrand.urlcut.ai, that is live the moment you claim it with no DNS setup. Subdomains are the quick, free-to-start option; a custom domain is full brand ownership.
Do I need to set up DNS or SSL?
For a branded subdomain, no. It works instantly and HTTPS is automatic. For your own custom domain you add two DNS records (a CNAME and a TXT to verify ownership); we handle the certificate and renewals for you.
Which plan do I need?
Branded urlcut.ai subdomains are included from the Basic plan (one subdomain), and Pro includes three. Custom domains, on your own domain, are on the Pro plan. See the pricing page for current limits.
Can two people use the same slug?
Yes. Each domain keeps its own private slug pool, so summer-sale on your domain is separate from summer-sale on anyone else's. Your names are yours.
Does the same link work with QR codes and analytics?
Yes. A branded link behaves like any other short link. Its QR code encodes the branded URL, and clicks show up in your analytics exactly the same way.
Is this available today?
Yes. Both custom domains and branded subdomains are live. Claim a subdomain or connect a domain from your dashboard and pick it in the Shorten on dropdown when you create a link.