⏰ October 10th, 2024 📒
A shortlink in WordPress is a shortened version of a URL that redirects users to a specific post, page, or other content on your website. It provides a compact, easy-to-share link that is ideal for social media, emails, or any other medium where character space is limited.
For example, if you have a lengthy URL like:
https://example.com/2024/10/09/how-to-clear-the-dns-cache-in-windows-mac-and-chrome
A shortlink might look like:
https://example.com/?p=123
How to Generate a Shortlink in WordPress:
- Classic Editor:
- When editing a post, click on the Get Shortlink button above the post editor (this option may not be visible by default in newer versions).
- Gutenberg Editor (Block Editor):
- Shortlinks aren’t directly available, but you can manually copy the shortlink using the format:https://yourdomain.com/?p=POSTID
Replace POSTID with the ID of the post (found in the URL when editing the post in the WordPress dashboard).
- Shortlinks aren’t directly available, but you can manually copy the shortlink using the format:
- Using Plugins:
- You can use plugins like Pretty Links or Shortlinks by Pretty Links to generate custom shortlinks.
Why Use Shortlinks?
- Easy to Share: Shortlinks are great for sharing content on platforms with character limits, like Twitter.
- Readable: They make URLs simpler and easier to remember.
- Trackable: Some plugins allow you to track clicks on shortlinks, making it easier to analyze traffic sources.
Shortlinks are a handy feature for WordPress users looking to simplify URLs while maintaining functionality and tracking.