How URL Shorteners Work: A Practical 2026 Guide
Learn how URL shorteners work and how to build a reliable link system with branded domains, analytics, editable destinations, routing, and QR codes.
Tools articles
Every post on the T.LY blog filed under Tools, newest first.
How to Customize the Password Page
When you share a password-protected link, the password page is the first thing people see. It used to be mostly functional. Now you can make it look like it actually belo...
How to Add UTM Parameters to T.LY ShortLinks
UTM parameters are an additional layer you can add when you also use another analytics tool (Google Analytics, HubSpot, Adobe, etc.) and want those tools to attribute the...
OneLinks 2.0
OneLinks just got a major update with new templates, theme controls, blocks, QR features, and analytics improvements. Build a OneLink faster, keep it on-brand, and unders...
Introducing Webhooks: Real-Time Link Events
Webhooks let T.LY send real-time link activity straight to your systems. If you want click events without polling or waiting on reports, this gives you a cleaner way to w...
How to Scan a QR Code on Your Phone
When it comes to scanning QR codes, a lot has changed over the years. Back in the early days, you had to download a dedicated QR code scanning app from the App Store or G...
Updates to the T.LY QR Code Generator
We just pushed a nice update to the T.LY Free QR Code Generator and wanted to share what’s new. The biggest addition is Themes. You can now pick from preset styles like A...
URL Shortener That Doesn’t Expire
One of the biggest frustrations I’ve heard from people who use URL shorteners is discovering that their shortened links suddenly stop working. Some services only keep lin...
QR Codes Correction Levels
You’ve seen them everywhere: stickers, receipts, posters, business cards. QR Codes live in the real world, where scuffs, dirt, folding, fading, glare, and even accidental...
Put it into practice with T.LY
Create branded short links, dynamic QR codes and OneLinks, and see every click in one place.
