Custom Branded Short Domains with Automatic Free SSL
Replace generic short links with your own company domain. Get up to 34% more clicks, build lasting trust with your audience, and keep your brand front and center on every link and QR code.
Setup Guide
Connect Your Domain in 2 Minutes
No complicated server setup required. Just add one simple CNAME record at your domain registrar and LinkForge takes care of the rest automatically.
go.yourbrand.com
Configured in Cloudflare / GoDaddy / Namecheap
| Type | Host / Name | Value / Target Destination | TTL | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CNAME | go | cname.linkforge.site | Auto (300s) | Connected ✓ |
Directs visitors who navigate to the root domain without a slug straight to your main website.
Prevents dead-ends if someone mistypes a link slug by routing to your custom help or search portal.
Domain Management
Enterprise-grade domain routing infrastructure
LinkForge manages edge SSL certificates, CNAME verification, and domain fallbacks so your short links stay fast and reliable.
Automatic Edge SSL/TLS
Every custom domain receives a dedicated TLS certificate provisioned at the edge for seamless HTTPS redirection without maintenance.
Root Fallback Redirects
Direct visitors who navigate to the bare root domain (e.g. `brand.link/`) to your primary company website or landing page.
Continuous DNS Health Checks
Real-time DNS status monitoring ensures your domains stay verified and alerts your team before any misconfiguration causes downtime.
Multi-Domain Segregation
Assign different domains to specific client workspaces, keeping link pools, analytics, and branding strictly isolated.
Deliverability Protection
Protect against shared domain penalties. Your links will never be flagged by email spam filters due to another company's bad practices.
Universal Feature Support
Branded domains integrate automatically with Smart Routing, Dynamic QR code vector exports, and Creator Bio Pages.
Setup Walkthrough
Connect Your Domain in 4 Simple Steps
From domain entry to live link generation in less than 5 minutes.
Add Domain in Dashboard
Enter your chosen subdomain or custom short domain (e.g., go.yourbrand.com) in LinkForge Settings.
Add CNAME at Registrar
Sign in to your DNS provider (Cloudflare, GoDaddy, Namecheap) and create a CNAME record pointing to cname.linkforge.site.
Automatic SSL Provisioning
Our edge network detects your DNS record, verifies domain control, and automatically issues a free TLS certificate in minutes.
Set Fallback & Start Linking
Configure where root visitors redirect, and start generating branded links and QR codes with your new custom domain.
Agency Workspaces: Manage Multiple Client Domains Seamlessly
Marketing agencies frequently manage link campaigns across dozens of distinct brand portfolios. LinkForge makes multi-domain management painless with unified billing and granular workspace segregation.
- Assign dedicated domains to separate client workspace folders
- Export white-label campaign analytics reports carrying client branding
- Includes 2 domains on Starter ($9/mo), 5 on Pro ($24/mo), and 20 on Business ($79/mo)
Domain Allocation by Plan
Transparent domain quotas with no extortionate enterprise-only markups.
Ecosystem
Related Platform Capabilities & Guides
Discover connected tools, implementation playbooks, and comparisons to maximize your campaign performance.
Branded URL Shortener
Shorten links with custom domain slugs, SSL security, and edge redirect latency.
Agency Link Infrastructure
Multi-client workspaces, branded domain routing, and shared campaign governance.
Link Tracking & Analytics Guide
Best practices for measuring real human click engagement and conversion attribution.
Bitly Alternative Comparison
Why teams switch from Bitly's pricing tiers and ad-supported links to LinkForge.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about custom short domain integration, DNS records, and SSL certificates.
How long does custom domain DNS verification take?
Once you add your CNAME record pointing to LinkForge's edge infrastructure, verification typically completes within 2 to 5 minutes. SSL/TLS certificates are automatically provisioned and renewed through our edge network without any manual server maintenance.
Can I connect multiple custom domains to one workspace?
Yes. LinkForge supports multi-domain management across all paid tiers: Starter includes 2 custom domains, Pro includes 5 domains, and Business includes 20 domains. Enterprise tiers support custom unlimited domain allocations for large agencies.
What happens if someone visits the root domain without a path (e.g., brand.link)?
LinkForge allows you to configure a custom Root Fallback URL for every connected domain. When a visitor navigates directly to the apex or root subdomain without a specific slug, LinkForge immediately redirects them to your primary company website or campaign homepage.
Does LinkForge provide free SSL certificates for custom domains?
Yes. Every custom domain connected to LinkForge receives a dedicated, auto-renewing TLS/SSL certificate provisioned at the edge. HTTPS is enforced by default, ensuring all short links and QR codes load securely without browser security warnings.
Can I use an apex domain (e.g., yourbrand.com) or just a subdomain (e.g., go.yourbrand.com)?
We recommend using dedicated subdomains such as `go.yourbrand.com`, `link.yourbrand.com`, or dedicated short domains like `brand.co`. If your DNS provider supports CNAME flattening or ALIAS/ANAME records (such as Cloudflare, Namecheap, or Route 53), you can also use apex root domains directly.
How does using a custom domain protect my links from spam filters?
Shared public shortener domains (like bit.ly or tinyurl) are frequently abused by bad actors, leading spam filters, corporate firewalls, and social media platforms to flag them. By using your own domain, your links inherit your brand's clean reputation and maintain maximum inbox deliverability.
What DNS providers are compatible with LinkForge?
LinkForge works seamlessly with all major DNS registrars and management providers, including Cloudflare, GoDaddy, Namecheap, AWS Route 53, Google Cloud DNS, Squarespace/Google Domains, and Porkbun.
Connect Your Custom Domain in Minutes
Upgrade your links with your brand identity. Automated SSL and fast DNS verification included on all plans.