Do Bitly Links Expire? Yes, They Can
Bitly's free tier has limitations that may surprise you. Your links could stop working.
Here's what you need to know—and a better alternative.
The Short Answer
What you need to know about Bitly link expiration
Yes, Bitly links can expire
On Bitly's free tier, links created after a certain date may be subject to inactivity-based expiration. If a link doesn't receive clicks for an extended period, Bitly may deactivate it to free up resources.
URLcut.ai links never expire
Whether you're on our free tier or Pro plan, your links work forever. Print them on business cards, put them in videos, share them anywhere—they'll always redirect.
Bitly Free Tier Limitations
What you get (and don't get) with Bitly's free plan
| Limitation | Bitly Free | URLcut.ai Free |
|---|---|---|
| Links per month | ❌ 5 links/month | ✅ 10 links/month |
| Link expiration | ❌ May expire if inactive | ✅ Links never expire |
| QR code expiration | ❌ Limited functionality | ✅ QR codes never expire |
| Edit after creation | ❌ Cannot edit | ✅ Edit destination anytime |
| AI suggestions | ❌ Not available | ✅ 10 AI suggestions/month |
| Analytics | ⚠️ Basic (7 days) | ✅ Full analytics (30 days) |
Do Bitly QR Codes Expire?
QR codes follow the same rules as the links they point to
Bitly QR Codes
Limited- Free tier: Limited QR codes
- If the link expires, QR code breaks
- Custom branding requires paid plan
URLcut.ai QR Codes
Forever- Free tier: Unlimited QR codes
- Links never expire = QR codes always work
- Custom colors included, logos on Pro
If you've printed QR codes on menus, business cards, or flyers, you need links that won't expire. With URLcut.ai, your printed materials stay functional forever.
The URLcut.ai Alternative
Why users are switching from Bitly
Links Never Expire
Free or paid, your links work forever. No inactivity-based expiration. Print them, share them, forget about them—they'll always redirect.
AI-Powered Suggestions
Our AI reads your page content and suggests meaningful slugs.
No more random character strings like bit.ly/3xK9mPq.
Edit After Creation
Made a typo? Changed the destination? Update your link anytime. Bitly locks you in once you create a link.
66% Cheaper
URLcut.ai Pro is $12/month with unlimited everything. Bitly charges $35/month for similar features.
2x More Free Links
URLcut.ai free tier: 10 links/month. Bitly free tier: 5 links/month. Do the math.
QR Codes That Work
Generate QR codes for any link. Customize colors. Since links never expire, your QR codes never break.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about link expiration
Do Bitly links expire on the free tier?
Yes, Bitly's free tier links may expire if they don't receive clicks for an extended period. Bitly reserves the right to deactivate inactive links to free up resources. URLcut.ai links never expire, even on the free plan.
Do Bitly QR codes expire?
Bitly QR codes are tied to Bitly links. If the underlying link expires or is deactivated, the QR code will stop working. With URLcut.ai, since links never expire, QR codes continue to work indefinitely.
How can I prevent my links from expiring?
With Bitly, you'd need a paid plan to ensure link permanence. With URLcut.ai, all links—free and paid—are permanent. There's no inactivity-based expiration.
What happens to printed QR codes if my link expires?
If you've printed QR codes on menus, business cards, or marketing materials and the link expires, those codes become useless. This is why many businesses are switching to URLcut.ai where links never expire.
Can I migrate my Bitly links to URLcut.ai?
While you can't directly import Bitly links (they're hosted on Bitly's servers), you can start using URLcut.ai for all new links. Your old Bitly links will continue working as long as Bitly keeps them active.
Is URLcut.ai really free?
Yes. URLcut.ai's free tier gives you 10 links per month with full analytics, AI suggestions, and QR codes. Links never expire. No credit card required. Not a trial—free forever.
Ready for Links That Never Expire?
Stop worrying about link expiration. URLcut.ai links work forever.
Try it free—no credit card required.