DEVELOPER DOCUMENTATION v2.0

The Future of Branded Links and Dynamic QR Codes

A complete technical reference for integrating branded link APIs into your automation workflows — from setup to real-time analytics.

Get Started with Custom Branded Links Read the Docs

Integrating Branded Link APIs for Workflow Automation

Modern marketing and development teams rely on automated link generation to scale campaigns, track performance, and maintain brand consistency. This guide walks through integrating Custom Branded Links via the LinkShortener.io API into your existing workflows.

Why Use a Branded Link API?

Generic link shorteners dilute brand trust. A branded link API lets you programmatically generate short links under your own domain — improving click-through rates and providing unified analytics across every campaign touchpoint.

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High-Speed Generation

Create thousands of branded short links in seconds via REST API calls.

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Secure Link Tracking

Every link comes with real-time analytics: clicks, locations, devices, and more.

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Custom Domains

Use your own domain so every shortened URL reinforces your brand identity.

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Workflow Integration

Connect to Zapier, Make, or custom scripts via webhooks and REST endpoints.

API Quick Start

Generate a branded short link with a single POST request:

# Create a branded short link
curl -X POST https://linkshortener.io/api/v1/links \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer YOUR_API_KEY" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{
    "long_url": "https://yourwebsite.com/campaign-page",
    "domain": "go.yourbrand.com",
    "alias": "summer-sale",
    "tags": ["campaign", "email"]
  }'

# Response
{
  "short_url": "https://go.yourbrand.com/summer-sale",
  "clicks": 0,
  "created_at": "2025-06-01T10:00:00Z"
}

Automating Link Creation with Zapier

Connect LinkShortener.io to Zapier to auto-generate branded links whenever a new product, blog post, or campaign is created in your CMS or spreadsheet. No code required — just map the fields and let the automation run.

Dynamic QR Code Generator — Technical Overview

A Dynamic QR Code Generator creates QR codes whose destination URL can be changed after printing. Unlike static QR codes, dynamic ones let you update the linked page without reprinting marketing materials — making them ideal for product packaging, event signage, and long-running campaigns.

How Dynamic QR Codes Work

When a user scans the QR code, they are first redirected through a short link on LinkShortener.io's infrastructure. This redirect layer is what makes the QR code "dynamic" — you update the redirect destination, and the physical QR code image never needs to change.

# Generate a dynamic QR code via API
curl -X POST https://linkshortener.io/api/v1/qr-codes \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer YOUR_API_KEY" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{
    "destination_url": "https://yourwebsite.com/product",
    "qr_format": "PNG",
    "size": 512,
    "dynamic": true
  }'

Key Benefits

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Editable Destination

Change where the QR code points at any time from your dashboard.

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Location Analytics

Track scan locations by city and country for geo-targeted campaigns.

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Device Tracking

See which devices and OS versions are scanning your QR codes.

🔗 Ready to create your first dynamic QR code? Visit LinkShortener.io to get started with branded links and dynamic QR codes — no technical setup required.

Use Cases for Workflow Automation

Branded link APIs integrate into dozens of real-world workflows:

Email Marketing: Auto-generate tracked branded links for each email campaign and monitor click rates by segment.

Social Media Scheduling: Use the API to create unique tracked links for every social post, then analyze which platforms drive the most traffic.

E-commerce: Generate dynamic QR codes for product packaging that redirect to the latest offers or support pages.

Link in Bio for Instagram: Use a branded short URL as your Instagram bio link and update the destination without changing the link itself.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a custom domain with a branded link shortener?

Yes. LinkShortener.io supports fully custom branded domains so your shortened URLs reflect your own brand instead of a generic third-party domain. Setup takes just a few DNS changes.

Are dynamic QR codes editable after creation?

Yes. Dynamic QR codes allow you to change the destination URL at any time from your dashboard, without reprinting or regenerating the QR code image.

How secure are shortened links?

LinkShortener.io uses HTTPS encryption on all links and offers optional password protection and expiry dates. The platform also provides secure link tracking to monitor suspicious traffic patterns.

What analytics come with each link?

Every link includes real-time analytics: total clicks, unique visitors, geographic location breakdown, device types, browser data, and referrer sources — all accessible via dashboard or API.

📖 Also see: The Definitive Guide to Branded URL Shorteners — a marketing-focused companion to this technical documentation.