betterlinks.io

# BetterLinks

> BetterLinks is a WordPress plugin by WPDeveloper for shortening, cloaking, tracking, and managing links inside the dashboard. It turns long URLs into short, branded links with 301/302/307 and cloaked redirects, UTM tags, and click analytics for marketing and affiliate campaigns. Free on WordPress.org (20,000+ installs); PRO adds AI link generation, split testing, and custom domains.



**Target Audience:** general

**Key Features:**
- Link shortening & cloaking: Create short
- branded "pretty" URLs from long links
- with cloaking to mask affiliate destinations.
Redirects: 301
- 302
- 307
- and cloaked redirect types managed from a drag-and-drop interface.
Click analytics: Real-time click and click-through-rate tracking with referrer
- device
- and browser reports
- plus individual per-link analytics (PRO).
UTM campaign tracking: Built-in UTM Builder to tag and monitor marketing campaigns.
Affiliate link management: Cloaking
- disclosure
- and one-click migration from PrettyLinks and ThirstyAffiliates.
Broken link scanning: Full Site Link Scanner / Broken Link Checker to find and fix dead links.
Editor & tool integrations: Native link management in Gutenberg and Elementor.
AI link generation (PRO): AI Bulk Link Generator and AI Link Assistant for faster
- categorized link creation.



## Development Approach

Built following official WordPress plugin coding standards and best practices. Security-first development with input sanitization, output escaping, nonce verification, ABSPATH protection, and firewall compatibility (e.g., 7G Firewall). Performance-focused with optimized, reduced database queries for fast redirect response times. Regular release cadence with incremental improvements and bug fixes, WordPress version compatibility testing, WPML translation support, and backward-compatible database migrations. Freemium model with a free core plugin on WordPress.org and a PRO upgrade for advanced features.

## Setup Instructions

1. Install: In the WordPress dashboard go to Plugins → Add New, search for "BetterLinks," then click Install and Activate. (For PRO, upload the BetterLinks Pro zip and activate it alongside the free plugin, then verify your license key.)
2. Configure: Open the BetterLinks menu and run the Quick Setup Wizard to set your default link prefix, redirect type, and general options.
3. Create a link: Click "Add New," enter the target (destination) URL and a short slug, choose a redirect type (301, 302, 307, or cloaked), optionally assign a category/tag and UTM parameters, then Publish.
4. Share: Copy the shortened URL directly from the dashboard with one click and use it anywhere.
5. Track: Open the Analytics tab to view clicks, click-through rates, and referrer/device reports; filter by date using the interactive calendar.
6. Optional: Migrate existing links from PrettyLinks, ThirstyAffiliates, or Simple 301 Redirects via Tools, and run the Broken Link Checker to keep links healthy.

## Documentation

- [BetterLinks Documentation](https://betterlinks.io/docs/): Full help-article knowledge base for all features.
- [Install and Activate BetterLinks](https://betterlinks.io/docs/install-and-activate-betterlinks/): Getting-started installation guide.
- [How To Install BetterLinks PRO](https://betterlinks.io/docs/install-betterlinks-pro/): PRO installation walkthrough.
- [Verify Your BetterLinks Pro License Key](https://betterlinks.io/docs/verify-your-betterlinks-pro-license-key/): License authentication steps.
- [How Multiple Redirect Link Types Work](https://betterlinks.io/docs/how-do-multiple-redirect-link-types-work/): 301, 302, 307, and cloaked redirect reference.
- [Configurations](https://betterlinks.io/docs-category/configurations/): Feature configuration guides (58+ articles).
- [FAQ](https://betterlinks.io/docs-category/faq/): Common questions and migration/import guides.
- [Changelog](https://betterlinks.io/changelog/): Version history and release notes.

## Technical Details

- [Configurations Documentation](https://betterlinks.io/docs-category/configurations/): Technical setup and feature configuration guides (58+ articles).
- [How Multiple Redirect Link Types Work](https://betterlinks.io/docs/how-do-multiple-redirect-link-types-work/): 301, 302, 307, and cloaked redirect reference.
- [How To Use the Wildcards Feature](https://betterlinks.io/docs/how-to-use-the-wildcards-feature/): Pattern-based wildcard redirect handling.
- [Create a Dynamic UTM Template](https://betterlinks.io/docs/create-dynamic-utm-template-with-betterlinks/): Advanced UTM parameter templating.
- [Auto-Link Keywords Import and Export](https://betterlinks.io/docs/auto-link-keywords-import-export-betterlinks/): Bulk keyword-to-link automation via import/export.
- [Scheduled Scan & Reports](https://betterlinks.io/docs/scheduled-scan-reports-with-betterlinks/): Automated link scanning and reporting setup.
- [AI Bulk Link Generator](https://betterlinks.io/docs/ai-bulk-link-generator-in-betterlinks/): AI-assisted bulk link creation reference.
- [Changelog](https://betterlinks.io/changelog/): Version history and release/technical notes.

## Optional

- [BetterLinks Blog](https://betterlinks.io/blog/): Tutorials, updates, and link-management tips.
- [Video Tutorials (YouTube)](https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLWHp1xKHCfxBtIjolI693SDWtdfKZCc37): Step-by-step video guides.
- [Features Overview](https://betterlinks.io/features/): Full feature breakdown.
- [Analytics Feature](https://betterlinks.io/features/analytics/): Click tracking and reporting details.
- [AI Bulk Link Generator](https://betterlinks.io/features/ai-bulk-link-generator/): AI-assisted bulk link creation.
- [Pricing](https://betterlinks.io/pricing/): Free vs PRO plans.
- [Community Group (Facebook)](https://www.facebook.com/groups/wpdeveloper.net/): User community.
- [Get Support](https://wpdeveloper.com/support/): Official WPDeveloper support.
- [WPDeveloper](https://wpdeveloper.com/): Parent company and other WordPress products.

## Use Cases
- [Affiliate Link Cloaking](https://betterlinks.io/features/): Cloak and brand affiliate URLs and disclose them compliantly.
- [Campaign Tracking](https://betterlinks.io/features/analytics/): Tag links with UTM parameters and measure click performance.
- [Migrating From Other Plugins](https://betterlinks.io/docs/import-pretty-links-links-to-betterlinks/): One-click move from PrettyLinks, ThirstyAffiliates, or Simple 301 Redirects.

## Common Workflows
- Create a short branded link → assign category/tag → add UTM parameters → publish → share → review analytics.
- Run the Full Site Link Scanner / Broken Link Checker on a schedule and fix flagged links.

## Frequently Asked Questions
- Does it work with any theme? Yes, BetterLinks works with any standard WordPress theme.
- Can I migrate from another plugin? Yes, one-click migration from PrettyLinks, ThirstyAffiliates, and Simple 301 Redirects.
- Who is it for? Website owners, affiliate marketers, and SEO professionals needing shortening, redirection, and tracking.
- Can I export my data? Yes, link data can be exported (and imported) via CSV.

## Integrations
- Gutenberg block editor, Elementor page builder, Fluent Boards, Google Analytics (PRO), Facebook Pixel (PRO), and custom branded domains (PRO).

## Security Notes
- Supports HTTPS redirection (PRO), a bot blocker to filter bot clicks, password-protected links (PRO), and firewall compatibility.

## Limitations
- Requires WordPress 5.0+ and PHP 7.4+. Many advanced features (AI link generation, split testing, individual analytics, user roles, custom domains, scheduling) require BetterLinks PRO. No public REST API endpoints are currently documented.

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