Ever shared a link online that just… flopped? No clicks, no traffic, nada. What if I told you there’s a simple tweak that could bump your click-through rates (CTR) by up to 50%? Enter: custom slugs—a game-changing feature on Shrnkz.com.
Let’s dive into what custom slugs are, how they work, and why they’re your new best friend in the battle for attention online.
What is Shrnkz.com?
If you haven’t heard of it yet, Shrnkz.com is a sleek, modern URL shortener designed for marketers, creators, and anyone looking to tidy up their links. Think Bitly, but with more customization and control.
Why URL Shorteners Matter in 2025
In the age of shrinking attention spans, long and messy URLs are a big no-no. Clean links boost trust and are more likely to be clicked—especially on platforms like Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok.
What Are Custom Slugs?
So, what’s the deal with these “custom slugs” anyway?
Anatomy of a Custom Slug
When you shorten a link with Shrnkz, you get something like:
But with a custom slug, you can change the random characters to something meaningful:
Why Custom Slugs Matter for SEO
Google may not directly rank short links, but users sure do. A well-named slug helps search engines understand the context and improves user trust. And where there’s trust, there are clicks.
The Psychology Behind Clicks
Trust and Credibility in a Link
Would you rather click:
shrnkz.com/9hsd8aaor
shrnkz.com/save-20-now?
Yeah, we thought so. Custom slugs add a layer of credibility. They signal you’ve put thought into your link—not just slapped it together.
Clean URLs vs. Generic Short Links
Clean URLs are like neat outfits—they give a good first impression. Random-looking links, on the other hand, look spammy or even dangerous.
How Custom Slugs Improve CTR (Click-Through Rate)
The 50% Click Boost: Myth or Magic?
It's not magic—it's science and psychology. Custom slugs:
Increase trust
Set clear expectations
Grab attention with relevant words
Combined, these lead to more clicks, plain and simple.
Case Study: Real Users, Real Results
A marketing agency tested Shrnkz links with and without custom slugs across five campaigns. The ones with custom slugs saw 52% more clicks on average. That's not just a boost—that’s a leap.
Step-by-Step: Creating Custom Slugs on Shrnkz.com
Let’s break it down.
1. Sign Up and Navigate to Your Dashboard
Head to Shrnkz.com and sign up. Once you're in, you'll see your dashboard where all your links live.
2. Paste Your Long Link
Copy-paste that monster URL into the input field. You’ll see the shortened version generated instantly.
3. Customize Your Slug (Best Practices Included)
Click the "edit" button and change the slug to something catchy and relevant like:
/get-started/exclusive-deal/my-awesome-course
Just avoid weird characters or overly long phrases.
Best Practices for Choosing Click-Worthy Slugs
Want to nail it every time? Follow these tips:
Keep it Short and Sweet
Slugs should be memorable. If you need a dictionary to decode your slug, it's too long.
Use Keywords That Hook
Words like “free,” “sale,” “today,” and “guide” are proven to increase clicks.
Avoid Special Characters
Stick to letters, dashes, and numbers. No symbols, emojis, or punctuation.
Comparing Shrnkz.com with Other URL Shorteners
You might be thinking: “Why not just use Bitly?” Great question.
Bitly vs. Shrnkz
Bitly: Great for basic shortening, but limited custom slug features unless you upgrade.
Shrnkz: Offers custom slugs out of the gate and includes analytics—even on free plans.
TinyURL vs. Shrnkz
TinyURL: Very basic UI and no detailed stats.
Shrnkz: Sleek interface, tracking, and branded links—all in one place.
Tracking Performance with Shrnkz Analytics
The real power? Knowing how your links perform.
What You Can Track
Clicks over time
Top referrers
Geographic data
Device breakdown
Making Data-Driven Changes
Not getting clicks? Try a new slug. A/B test different phrases to see what sticks.
How to Integrate Custom Slugs with Your Marketing
Social Media Campaigns
Use custom slugs to match your messaging. A tweet about your free course?
Use: shrnkz.com/free-course
Email Newsletters
Tracking clicks in emails is essential. Custom slugs not only help you monitor engagement—they encourage it.
Influencer Marketing
Give each influencer their own slug to measure impact:
shrnkz.com/jane20shrnkz.com/techguru
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Overcomplicating Your Slug
Don’t go for: shrnkz.com/free-guide-to-the-ultimate-marketing-secrets-v3
Keep it tight: shrnkz.com/marketing-guide
Ignoring Analytics
You can’t fix what you don’t track. Use Shrnkz analytics to tweak and improve.
Final Thoughts
If you're serious about getting more clicks, custom slugs on Shrnkz.com are a no-brainer. They’re easy to create, proven to work, and free to use. Whether you're a marketer, content creator, or just want to level up your link game, custom slugs are the secret weapon you didn’t know you needed.
So go ahead—ditch the boring URLs. Give your links some personality. Your click-through rates will thank you.
FAQs
1. Are custom slugs available on Shrnkz.com’s free plan?
Yes! You can create custom slugs for free, no premium account required.
2. Can I edit a custom slug after creating it?
Absolutely. Just log in, find your link, and click “Edit” next to the slug.
3. How many characters should my custom slug be?
Aim for 3–20 characters. Keep it readable, short, and easy to remember.
4. Can I track which slugs perform best?
Yes! Shrnkz has built-in analytics so you can monitor clicks, referrers, and more.
5. Are custom slugs mobile-friendly?
Totally. Shrnkz links (custom or not) are responsive and work great across all devices.