Frequently Asked Questions

What is Zipdup.link?

Zipdup.link is a professional URL shortening service that transforms long, unwieldy URLs into concise, shareable links while providing comprehensive analytics to track engagement and optimize your digital marketing efforts. Our platform offers short links across multiple domains, QR code generation, and detailed click tracking to help businesses improve their online presence and conversion rates.

How does URL shortening work?

When you submit a long URL to Zipdup.link, our system generates a unique identification code and creates a shortened link. When someone clicks this short link, our server redirects them to your original URL instantly through an HTTP redirect response. This process is seamless and takes less than 100ms.

Why should I use shortened URLs?

Shortened URLs offer multiple benefits: they're easier to share on social media platforms with character limits, look more professional in marketing materials, improve click-through rates, and provide valuable analytics about user engagement. They're also easier to manage on mobile devices, where the majority of web traffic originates. Plus, you can edit the destination URL after creating a link, perfect for A/B testing or updating seasonal promotions.

What plans does Zipdup.link offer?

Zipdup.link offers four pricing tiers with accurate limits:

All paid plans include a 20% discount when billed annually.

How are you able to offer such low pricing?

Because we focus our resources where they matter most: on a fast, secure, and highly-available infrastructure. We keep overhead low by automating routine tasks, avoiding costly middlemen and flashy offices, and scaling efficiently — so we can pass those savings straight to you. The result is competitive pricing for a dependable service, with no hidden fees and responsive support when you need it.

What is domain selection?

Domain selection allows Standard and Premium users to choose from our predefined short domains:

• zipdup.link - Our primary domain (all plans)
• zipd.cc - Ultra-short domain for maximum brevity (Standard+)
• zdup.link - Alternative domain for flexibility (Standard+)

Note: This is not the same as custom domains (yourbrand.com), which is a feature we're considering for future releases.

Is there an API available?

API access is available exclusively for Standard and Premium accounts:

• Standard: 60 requests per minute
• Premium: 300 requests per minute
• Free/Basic: No API access

Our RESTful API allows you to programmatically create and manage short links, with comprehensive rate limiting and response headers to help you manage your integration effectively.

What analytics does Zipdup.link provide?

Our analytics dashboard tracks:

• Total clicks and unique visitors
• Geographic data (country and city level)
• Referrer sources (where clicks come from)
• Device and browser breakdown
• Time-based engagement patterns
• User agent information

Analytics retention varies by plan:

• Free: 7 days
• Basic: 90 days
• Standard: 365 days (1 year)
• Premium: 730 days (2 years)

Can I create QR codes?

Yes! Every link can be converted to a QR code with the following limits:

Monthly Limits:

• Free: 1 QR code
• Basic: 100 QR codes
• Standard: 5,000 QR codes
• Premium: 50,000 QR codes

Rate Limits:

• Anonymous users: 20 QR codes per minute
• Authenticated users: 100 QR codes per minute

QR codes support multiple formats (SVG, PNG, JPEG, WebP), custom sizes (100-1000px), error correction levels, and custom colors. All QR codes are cached for optimal performance.

Do shortened links expire?

Currently, links created with Zipdup.link don't expire by default. We have the database infrastructure for link expiration, and this feature is on our roadmap for future implementation. Stay tuned for updates!

Can I edit the destination URL after creating a short link?

Yes! All authenticated users can edit both:

• Destination URL - Change where the link redirects
• Short code - Update the custom alias

This feature is particularly useful for:

• A/B testing different landing pages
• Updating seasonal promotions
• Correcting mistakes without reprinting materials
• Switching targets for campaigns

How does Zipdup.link ensure link safety?

We implement comprehensive URL validation and risk assessment:

• URL format validation to ensure proper structure
• Risk assessment that evaluates potential security threats
• Strict rate limiting for suspicious URLs
• SSL encryption for all links
• Audit logging for compliance

While we don't perform active malware scanning, our validation system checks for common security issues and suspicious patterns.

Is my data private?

We take data privacy seriously:

• PII encryption using AES-256-GCM for sensitive data like emails
• GDPR compliant with comprehensive audit logging
• Data export API for self-service data retrieval
• Anonymized analytics - we track aggregate data, not individuals
• No plaintext emails stored in our database
• Marketing consent tracking with opt-in/opt-out controls

Your link data is never shared with third parties, and we maintain strict data retention policies based on your plan level.

How do you prevent spam and abuse?

We implement multiple layers of protection:

• Tier-based rate limiting per user and IP address
• URL validation and risk assessment
• Strict limits for suspicious URLs (3 requests per 10 minutes)
• Account monitoring for unusual patterns
• Usage enforcement with monthly limits per plan
• Idempotency support to prevent duplicate counting

What's the maximum URL length I can shorten?

We support URLs up to 2,048 characters, which covers virtually all web addresses you'll encounter.

How fast are redirects?

Our redirect performance is consistently under 100ms thanks to:

• Redis caching for frequently accessed links
• Vercel CDN deployment
• Optimized database queries with proper indexing
• Serverless function architecture

Can I use Zipdup.link with automation tools?

Yes, through our API (Standard and Premium plans). While we don't have direct integrations with tools like Buffer, Hootsuite, or Zapier, our API can be used with any platform that supports custom API integrations. We provide comprehensive API documentation and examples in multiple programming languages.

How do I track conversions?

Currently, we provide click tracking and visitor analytics. Advanced conversion tracking with goals and funnels is on our development roadmap. You can track basic conversion metrics by analyzing click patterns and unique visitor data from our analytics dashboard.

What's the difference between clicks and unique clicks?

• Clicks: Total number of times your link was accessed
• Unique clicks: Number of individual visitors (tracked via visitor ID, counted once per user regardless of multiple clicks)

How do I authenticate API requests?

API authentication uses Bearer tokens in the Authorization header:

API keys can be generated from your account settings (Standard and Premium only).

What are the API rate limits?

• Standard Plan: 60 requests per minute
• Premium Plan: 300 requests per minute
• Free/Basic Plans: No API access (403 Forbidden response)

Rate limit information is provided in response headers:

• X-RateLimit-Limit: Your limit
• X-RateLimit-Remaining: Requests remaining
• X-RateLimit-Reset: When the limit resets
• Retry-After: Seconds to wait when rate limited

Can I prevent duplicate link creation?

Yes! Include an idempotencyKey in your API requests to prevent duplicate links from being created on retries. This ensures that repeated requests with the same key won't count against your monthly quota.

How can I increase my click-through rates?

• Use meaningful custom short codes instead of random characters
• Choose the shortest domain (zipd.cc) for social media posts
• Keep custom aliases relevant and memorable
• Test different short codes to see what resonates with your audience
• Use consistent naming conventions for campaign tracking

Should I use the same short link across all channels?

It depends on your tracking needs. Using unique links for each channel (email, social media, SMS) provides more granular analytics about which channels drive the most engagement. However, using a single memorable link can be better for brand recognition.

How often should I review my analytics?

• Active campaigns: Review daily to identify trends and optimization opportunities
• Ongoing links: Weekly reviews are typically sufficient
• Monthly overview: Analyze overall performance and patterns
• Before renewal: Check usage against your plan limits

My short link isn't working. What should I do?

First, check that:

1. The original URL is still active and accessible
2. You haven't exceeded your monthly link limit
3. There are no typos in the short code
4. The link hasn't been deleted

If issues persist, contact our support team with the specific short code.

Why are my click counts different from Google Analytics?

Discrepancies can occur due to:

• Different tracking methodologies
• Bot filtering (we filter known bots and crawlers)
• Users who click but don't fully load the destination page
• Privacy tools or ad blockers affecting tracking
• Time zone differences in reporting

I'm hitting my monthly limit. What are my options?

1. Upgrade your plan for higher limits
2. Delete unused links (note: this doesn't reset your quota)
3. Wait for monthly reset on your billing date
4. Optimize usage by consolidating similar links

Can I recover a deleted link?

Deleted links cannot be recovered for security reasons. However, you can create a new link with the same custom alias if it's available.

When do monthly limits reset?

Monthly limits reset on your billing cycle date. For example, if you subscribed on the 15th, your limits reset on the 15th of each month. The reset date is shown in your dashboard under usage metrics.

Can I change plans mid-month?

Yes! When upgrading, you'll get immediate access to higher limits with prorated billing. When downgrading, changes take effect at the next billing cycle to ensure you don't lose access to features you've paid for.

How do API keys work?

API keys are:

• Generated from your account settings
• Displayed only once (store them securely!)
• Can be named for easy identification
• Can be deactivated but not reactivated
• Support multiple keys per account

How do I contact support?

For support inquiries, please email us at support@zipdup.link. Our team will respond to your inquiry as soon as possible.

Where can I find documentation?

• API Documentation: zipdup.link/api-docs
• Getting Started Guide: Available in your dashboard
• Video Tutorials: Coming soon
• Blog: Tips and best practices at zipdup.link/blog

What features are coming soon?

We're actively working on:

• Link expiration functionality
• Advanced conversion tracking
• More detailed analytics
• Additional domain options
• Enhanced API capabilities
• Mobile app

Stay updated by following our blog and release notes!