Custom domains

Brand your links with your own domain.

Custom domains let you replace t.ly with your own branded domain so every share builds trust and recognition. They are worth the setup time because they make campaigns cleaner, easier to recognize, and easier to keep under your own brand. If you want a full walkthrough with screenshots, read How To Setup A Custom Domain.

Why use a custom domain?

• Brand consistency: your links look like your business, not a generic shortener.
• Higher trust: people are more likely to click links that look familiar.
• Cleaner campaigns: keep your marketing links consistent across email, SMS, print, and social.
• Operational flexibility: use one domain for links and another for QR or offline campaigns if needed.

Before you start

• Decide whether you want to connect a root domain like example.com or a subdomain like go.example.com.
• Choose a fallback URL for unmatched short links on that domain.
• Decide whether your slugs should be case sensitive. This affects whether /Sale and /sale behave as different short links.

Set up your domain

1. Open Settings > Domains.
2. Add the domain you want to use, your fallback URL, and your case-sensitivity preference.
3. Follow the DNS instructions shown in the setup flow for your exact host.

Choose the right DNS record

• Root domain: use the A record shown in the domain setup modal.
• Subdomain: use the CNAME record shown in the domain setup modal.
• Use one connection method for the host you are setting up. Avoid leaving extra A or AAAA records on the same host if they conflict.

If you use Cloudflare

Set the record to DNS only while you are verifying the domain. If the orange cloud proxy stays on, T.LY may be unable to validate the DNS record correctly. If you need a refresher on DNS basics while troubleshooting, What Is My DNS? is a helpful companion.

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Verify DNS and wait for propagation

• After saving the DNS record, return to your domain list and use Verify DNS Records if needed.
• DNS changes can take time to appear globally, even when the record is correct.
• T.LY will continue checking and can notify you when the domain is ready.

Common issues

• Still pending: propagation may not be complete yet.
• Wrong record type: root domains and subdomains use different setup patterns.
• Conflicting records: remove extra records for the host if they point elsewhere.
• Cloudflare proxy enabled: switch to DNS only, then verify again.
• Unexpected 404s: review your fallback URL and make sure the specific short link exists on that domain.

After your domain is live

• Use branded domains for your most visible campaigns first.
• Document your slug naming conventions so multiple teammates can maintain the domain safely.
• If you are launching a printed campaign, pair this with QR code printing guide and Go-live checklist.

Need more help?

If you still have questions, contact [email protected] or use the contact form. For abuse or suspicious links, use Report Abuse. For feature requests, email [email protected].