No, Pure CallerID does not provide link shortening services. This is due to carrier regulations and liability concerns. Most carriers do not accept unbranded link shorteners, as they pose a higher risk of being flagged as spam or fraudulent activities. Additionally, for compliance and security reasons, we do not take on the liability associated with shortened URLs, which can obscure the true destination of a link.
Why Carriers Do Not Accept Unbranded Link Shorteners
Carriers implement strict policies regarding SMS messaging to protect consumers from phishing scams, malware, and other fraudulent activities. Unbranded link shorteners, such as bit.ly or tinyurl.com, are commonly used by spammers and malicious actors to mask URLs, making it difficult for recipients to determine whether a link is safe. As a result, many carriers block messages containing links from these services or mark them as spam, reducing message deliverability and engagement rates.
Alternative Solutions for Link Shortening
While Pure CallerID does not offer link shortening, there are several reputable link-shortening services you can use. The key is to use a branded short domain or a service that allows custom domains, which increases trust and deliverability. Please note that Pure CallerID does not endorse, have a reciprocal relationship with, or promote any specific link-shortening service. We strongly recommend conducting your own research to determine the best solution for your needs. Here are some recommended options:
1. Rebrandly
Website: https://www.rebrandly.com
Rebrandly allows users to create custom-branded short links using their own domain name. This increases trust and makes links more recognizable to recipients. It also provides analytics to track link performance.
2. Bitly (Custom Domains Required)
Website: https://bitly.com
Bitly is one of the most well-known link shorteners. While generic Bitly links may not be accepted by carriers, you can set up a custom-branded domain to improve credibility and avoid filtering issues.
3. TinyURL Pro
Website: https://tinyurl.com
TinyURL Pro allows for custom-branded URLs, which can improve SMS compliance. The service is simple and does not require extensive setup.
4. Short.io
Website: https://short.io
Short.io offers a full-featured link management platform with branded domains, tracking capabilities, and integrations with third-party platforms.
How to Get Started with Branded Link Shortening
If you need to use shortened links in your SMS messages, follow these steps to set up a branded URL shortener:
- Choose a Link Shortening Service – Select one from the list above that allows branded domains.
- Purchase a Custom Domain – Use a domain registrar like GoDaddy, Namecheap, or Google Domains to buy a short, recognizable domain (e.g., mybiz.link).
- Connect Your Domain to the Shortening Service – Follow the provider’s instructions to set up your custom domain for link shortening.
- Shorten and Use Your Links – Once your setup is complete, generate shortened links and use them in your SMS messages.
- Monitor Performance – Use the analytics tools provided by the link shortener to track clicks, engagement, and effectiveness.
Considerations
Using a reputable, branded link shortener is essential for ensuring high SMS deliverability while maintaining compliance with carrier regulations and most importantly, reducing the character count in your message segments. Avoid using free, unbranded link shorteners to reduce the risk of message filtering or blocking. If you need further assistance with SMS best practices, our support team at Pure CallerID is happy to help!