Release Notes

Updated Deployment Image

We have performed some security maintenance on our systems and updated our infrastructure to the latest in-support packages.

This update only affects enterprise customers performing security audits on Linkly, and improves security.


Introduction of VAT for European Accounts

Starting in January 2025, Linkly will be required to collect VAT for customers based in the EU.

Businesses in the EU do not need to pay VAT if they present a valid European VAT number.

You do not currently have a VAT number on your account.

If you have a valid VAT number, please update your billing details to include it by following the instructions here:

https://linklyhq.com/support/add-a-vat-number

Please note, it isn't possible for us to refund VAT collected if a VAT number wasn't provided at the time of the charge.

If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact us through the chat widget in your account.


SSL Everywhere

We've released an update today that requires SSL (https) on all short-links.


Faster Queries for Parameters

We've rolled out improvements today to the query times for aggregate based queries such as parameters, ISP and robots.

These should load significantly faster, especially for workspaces with large amounts of data.


Updated Primary IP Address

Linkly's infrastructure has had a major upgrade.

Our primary service has moved to the IP address `34.133.74.21`.

Most users will not notice any change. We have migrated all CNAME based domains to this IP.

Domains on the old A-record IP will continue to function.


Removed tracking for IDs

We've stopped tracking parameters with value lengths longer than 30 characters.

We've made this change due to the unique IDs some ad networks set, which distorts analytics results for parameters designed for marketing attribution.

This change should make params queries faster, and easier to navigate on the params tab.


Updated QR Code Domains

We've updated our default QR code domains (for accounts not using custom domains) to make scanning more reliable in some regions.

We strongly advise users attach a domain before printing QR codes as it reduces scanning errors significantly.


DateTime Support via API

Our API now allows you to set start/end times using datetime. This allows you to query data by hour inside a day, if you would like to.


Account Downgrades Now Occur at the End of the Billing Cycle

We have adjusted our billing system so account downgrades are effected at the end of the billing cycle.


Click IDs are now based on UUID4

As we continue to upgrade our systems for greater scale, we have adjusted our clicks database to use UUID4 as unique identifier, instead of sequential integers. This has been backfilled.


Interpolated dates & hours in API

We've improved the API to return zeros where traffic figures for that date or hour are zero. Previously, the API would omit rows that had no data.


Hourly click counts via API

We've added the ability to get hourly breakdowns of traffic via the API.

Full documentation is available via OpenAPI here:


Improved 'Unique Users' Counting

We've updated the way we count unique users to make it more accurate.

Uniquessness is determined by the combination:

  • Click Date (UTC timezone)
  • Linkly Link ID
  • Remote IP Address

Support for Timezones in Analytics Reports APIs

We've added support for timezones in our analytics reporting API.

You can now select the timezone for your query in the `clicks` method.

It is available in our API specification here.


Added the Ability to Purchase Domains via Linkly

We have added the ability to purchase domains from Linkly, and have them automatically attached to your workspace.


Improved Data Export

We've improved the export of raw click data from Linkly as a CSV file.

We now include all the additional metadata we collect about a click (including location), and the query string, which is now encoded as JSON key-value pairs.

This is specifically for the 'all data' export.


Sign in With Google is now the recommended one-click login method

We've updated our login page to use Sign in with Google as the default login.

This is to help facilitate one-click, passwordless login to our service.

You can still use a valid email address to login, using our passwordless authentication.

If you are using an email and would like to attach a Google account, you can add it as a user under Users in your workspace.


Support for Million+ Link Workspaces

We've dramatically improved the performance of large workspaces, including those with many millions of links.

In the past, loading and sorting these links could take too long and timeout.

We've significantly improved the way this works and now workspaces can handle millions of links with ease.


Adjusted Layout to Improve Visibility on Some Devices

We've removed a footer component in the app that was blocking some text on some devices.


Realtime Dashboard Updates

Our dashboard now updates in realtime, allowing you to monitor the flow of clicks as they arrive.


Improved Domain Administration

We've updated our domain admin page to load faster for workspaces with many domains. You can add up to 50 domains to your Linkly workspace, to create custom branded short links.


Improvements to Shareable Dashboards

We've improved our shareable dashboards (public analytics) layouts to be more readable on wider screens.


Faster Loading Times for Dashboards

We've made some improvements to our dashboards that should allow them to load substantially faster.


Zapier Integration Updated

Following our ending of the Call-To-Action beta, we've upgraded our Zapier integration to reflect the most recent version of our API.

There are no other changes.


Datepicker TimeZone Issues Fixed

We've improved our datepicker's functionality for different timezones.


Automatically Detecting Domain Records

We've improved our domain adding wizard so that it will wait til it sees your DNS records.

We recommend all customers attach a domain to use Linkly.


Fixed Parameter Search Bug

We've fixed a bug today that caused the 'search' field to disappear when searching for parameters that didn't exist in traffic reports.


Publicly Shareable Analytics

We've added the ability to share analytics for a particular link with a third party, without having to invite them to become a user.


Linkly's 2024 Pricing Updates

Linkly's pricing will change on 15 May 2024.

The new pricing will be:

  • 25000 clicks $34/month
  • 50000 clicks $59/month
  • 100000 clicks $94/month
  • 200000 clicks $154/month
  • 500000 clicks $289/month
  • Unlimited $499/month

We know price increases are never welcome. We've done our best to minimize the impact; this is the first increase since 2019.

Switch to an Annual Plan and Save

In addition, for customers who switch to an annual plan before 15 May 2024, they will be able to retain their current pricing for a further 12 months.


Introduction of Annual Plans

We have added annual options for billing for customers who would prefer to pay in a single transaction.


Link Shortening API Now Available on RapidAPI

We've made our link shortening API available on RapidAPI. Find our integration here.


API Request Generator

We've made it easier to build API requests. You can now use a generator that will create a request for you, right inside Linkly.

Click the API Request button at the bottom of the Create New Link form to see a fully-formed `curl` statement you can use to add Linkly to your apps.

API Request Generator

Click Fraud Mode Deprecated in API

Since the deprecation of Linkly's Recaptcha Click Fraud detection, we have now updated the API to reflect this change.

Users can still detect bots and inorganic traffic using Linkly's bot detection.


Added buttons on the main link form for bulk import

We've made it easier to find bulk import. You can now find it on the 'Create New Link' form, in the top right.


IP Exclusion Fixes

We've fixed an issue where multiple IP addresses couldn't be excluded from the traffic logs.

You can exclude IPs from being logged by going to Settings -> IP Exclusion.


Improved Help Links in Create New Link Form

We've added inline help and 'Learn more' links in the 'Create New Link' form to make it easier to understand specific features.


Removed 'Saved Searches'

We've removed 'saved searches' in the search box on the dashboard, as it was causing significant confusion amongst users.


Moved data export buttons

We've moved the data export buttons (CSV/JSON/Sheets) to the top of the traffic detail tabs on the analytics reports, to make them easier to find.

You can use these to get the current view's data in a live feed.


Improved Domain Adding Experience

We've improved our domain adding instructions and built an interactive wizard to help you set them up quickly.


Linkly's Alternative URLs/Mirror Domains

If you're not using a custom domain with Linkly, you can now select one of our mirror domains from the dropdown on the show link page:

We still always recommend users attach a domain to Linkly for best results.

Linkly's Alternative URLs/Mirror Domains

Sort order on dashboard is now persistent

Linkly's dashboard now features persistent sort, so now you can always view your links the way you would like to.

Sort order on dashboard is now persistent

API Support for Arrays

Our API has been upgraded to support arrays, so you can generate thousands of links in a single request.


Introduction of Passwordless Logins

Users who previously had a password on Linkly can now login using a passwordless login.

Users old passwords have been discarded entirely.

Introduction of Passwordless Logins

Extended Login Session Time

Logins on Linkly will now last for 30 days, up from 24 hours. This should reduce how often you need to login.


Improved CSV import functionality

Today we’ve significantly improved our CSV import functionality. Now, Linkly will return a spreadsheet of imported links, or link creation failures. In addition, it’s now possible to set up rotators, device and geo-targeted links directly from a spreadsheet.

Improved CSV import functionality

Deprecation of 'Call to Action' Features

We’ve ended our beta of Call-to-Action, and the feature will be discontinued.

Links using this feature will continue to function as normal, after which they will be converted to normal redirects.


Automatic Slug Generation in the API & Spreadsheets for Custom Domains

We’ve improved the link generation API to automatically generate slugs for custom domains. It works for spreadsheet uploads and API requests.

Now, if you select a domain, but leave the slug field blank, Linkly will automatically generate a slug for you, and return the complete link in response.


Improved Dashboard Buttons

We’ve improved the way dashboard buttons work. It works better for smaller screens and many data columns.


Link buttons added to the 'Edit' page

You can now go straight to reports or open a link from the ‘Edit link’ page.

Link buttons added to the 'Edit' page

QR codes now save with the name of the link

Previously Linkly QR codes all downloaded with the same name; now we’ll use the link name to make it clearer what the destination is.


Updated 'random' function for custom shortlink domains

We’ve updated the ‘random’ button on the ‘Create New Link’ page to have a wider choice of random possibilities for users with a large number of links. It can now generate 14 million possible combinations, so a collision is less likely!

Updated 'random' function for custom shortlink domains

Support for non-ASCII domains, such as Chinese domains

Linkly now supports non-ASCII domain representations to shorten links with vanity URLs.

To use a non-ASCII international domain, just enter the ASCII representation of the domain into Linkly, and everything else should work perfectly.


Deprecation of Conversion Tracking

Today we are removing Linkly’s conversion tracking functionality.

We’re doing this as there are better solutions for tracking conversions, which both require javascript to be installed on the target website.

We recommend all users enable Goals/Funnels in Google Analytics if they would like to track conversions. You can still join this data to Linkly, using UTM tags.


Improvement of Group Reports

We’ve improved the behaviour when generating reports with groups of links.

Changes:

  • GET requests for grouped links now use a hyphen to separate link IDs. It should be possible to group several hundred links.
  • Improved layout when displaying reports for many links.

Speed Improvements of Links Dashboard

We’ve made some backend improvements that significantly increase the loading speed of the dashboard for users with high-traffic workspaces.


Expiring Links

We’ve recently added a feature to allow links to expire after a certain date & time, and optionally to specify a destination once they expire.

This feature can also be accessed via the API.


Upgrading of Google Sheets Addon to Google Sheets Live Data Feeds

We’re deprecating our support for the Google Sheets Addon, available via the Chrome Web Store, in favor of the Google Sheets Live Data Feeds from Linkly.

These provided added reliability and flexibility. The feeds are standardised and can also be imported into other tools, such as Google Data Studio. Feeds are available as JSON & CSV.

Find out how to use the Google Sheets feeds here.


Substantial Performance Improvements to Dashboard & Analytics

Today, we’ve significantly expanded our backend infrastructure, as Linkly continues to grow to be one of the largest global link tracking solutions available.

Traffic reports for large workspaces now load instantly (with some speedups being in excess of 100x), and dashboards load 10x faster.

These are just some of the improvements we’re making. There are millions of Linkly links generated each month, serving billions of clicks.


Traffic Report Tabs are Now 'Sticky'

Report tabs now remember their position when changing settings

Tabs in Linkly’s traffic reports now remember their previously selected location when changing settings/dates/links.

Traffic Report Tabs are Now 'Sticky'

Reporting API Performance Upgrades

We’ve upgraded the reporting API endpoints for click tracking data in CSV, JSON & Google Sheets formats.

Performance is much faster for workspaces with large traffic volumes.


Upgrade of Universal Analytics to Google Analytics 4

Today we’ve upgraded our systems to remove Google’s deprecated Google Analytics 3 (Universal Analytics).

Google Analytics 4 is now the preferred way to track Linkly campaigns using GA.


Improvement of Zapier Click Triggers

We’ve improved our Zapier Click Triggers to now include details of the link that was clicked.

This should make it easier to build actions without requiring an explicit Link ID. Old zaps should continue working without interruption.

Improvement of Zapier Click Triggers

Links dashboard now sorts by 30-day-clicks by default

Links are now shown in the order of descending 30-day traffic by default.

Links dashboard now sorts by 30-day-clicks by default

Improved dashboard export links

We’ve made the dashboard export links more visible. You can now get the data from the dashboard as a live feed to use in Google Sheets.

Improved dashboard export links

Deprecation of Old Reporting APIs

We have removed the old OpenAPI reporting URLs, as they have been superseded by the copy-and-paste API requests available inside Linkly.


Upgrade of Zapier Integration

As we proceed to move towards getting our Zapier Integration our of beta, we’ve made some improvements.

Previous versions of the integration have been deprecated, and users will need to upgrade to version 2.1.0 to keep their zaps running.

This should be last major update before getting our integration live. If you’d like to use our Zapier Integration, you can join the beta here.


Uptime Monitoring & Status Page

We’ve long monitored our uptime internally. Quick responses to outages are particularly important for an URL shortener processing millions of clicks per day. We’re now publishing our uptime and system status here.

Uptime Monitoring & Status Page

Addition of Expiry Time & Destination to the Dashboard

You can search view and sort expiring links on the dashboard, by adjusting the column visibility.


Dashboard Export Links Upgraded to Include Search

When you search in the dashboard, the export links will now update a search parameter, meaning these API endpoints now allow filtering of your links. It also works for Google Sheets.

Dashboard Export Links Upgraded to Include Search

Deprecation of ReCaptcha traffic monitoring

Today we’re deprecating our Recaptcha traffic monitoring feature.

Our network based bot detection has improved. It is faster and more reliable, and supercedes the capabilities of ReCaptcha.

You can see our bot differential in the ‘Robots’ tab on the traffic reports.

Deprecation of ReCaptcha traffic monitoring