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Custom Aliases: Creating Short Links That Are Memorable and Trusted

Custom Aliases: Creating Short Links That Are Memorable and Trusted

An alias is the part after the slash in your short link. In kencang.in/catalog, the alias is catalog. By default, the system creates a random five-character alias, enough for quick tasks, but for campaigns people will read, custom aliases are much more valuable. This article covers why, the rules, and examples you can use right away.

Why custom aliases matter

First, trust. Visitors are more confident in clicking kencang.in/webinar-signup than kencang.in/q8Zp1, because a meaningful alias gives a clue about the destination. User behavior research summarized by Nielsen Norman Group has long shown that users read URLs and use them as an interface.

Second, memorability. A clear alias can be mentioned on radio, in videos, or in presentations without spelling it out.

Third, management. When you manage hundreds of links, an alias such as ig-may-promo is much easier to find in the dashboard than a random code.

Alias naming rules on Kencang.in

  • Letters, numbers, and hyphens (-). No spaces or special characters.
  • Case insensitive; Promo and promo are treated as the same.
  • Must be unique per domain. If you use a branded domain, the same alias can be used on different domains.
  • Some words are reserved for the system, such as login, admin, and api.
  • Aliases can be changed before they are widely shared; changing an alias after printing it will break the old link.
Examples of good vs bad aliases - Custom Aliases: Creating Short Links That Are Memorable and Trusted
Examples of good vs bad aliases

Alias patterns that have proven effective

By destination

/catalog, /harga, /lokasi, /booking. Suitable for permanent links printed on packaging or business cards.

By campaign and time

/summer-sale, /flashsale-1212, /july-webinar. Include a time reference so old campaign links are not confused with new ones.

By channel

/ig, /tiktok, /wa. Using a separate alias for each channel lets you see which channel delivers the best results without opening the referrer report. For more detailed ad tracking, combine this with UTM parameters.

By person or partner

/budi, /reseller-andi. Useful for affiliate programs or field sales teams; each person has their own link and separate statistics.

Common mistakes

  • Too long. A 30-character alias defeats the purpose of a short link. Aim for fewer than 15 characters.
  • Internal abbreviations. /q3-cmp-b2 clear to your team, confusing to customers.
  • Changing the alias after publication. If the destination content changes, change the destination URL, not the alias.
  • Promising something that is not there. An alias such as /gratis that leads to a paid page damages trust and may be reported.

Aliases and QR codes

A QR code generated from a short link contains the same alias. A short alias produces a simpler QR matrix, making it easier to scan from a distance or on small prints. This is one reason we recommend short aliases for print materials; see the technical details in the article on designing QR codes with logos.

Checking alias availability

Type an alias in the link creation form; the system immediately tells you if it is already taken. To reserve aliases for future campaigns, create the links early and point them to a temporary page. You can change their destinations at any time. Custom aliases are available on every plan, including Free; see the full comparison on the pricingpage.

Frequently asked questions

Are aliases case sensitive?

No. Aliases are stored and matched without distinguishing uppercase and lowercase letters, so visitors who type Promo or promo reach the same destination. On printed materials, write aliases in lowercase for a consistent appearance.

Can I change an alias after sharing the link?

Technically yes, but the old alias will stop working and visitors using old materials will lose their way. If the page content changes, change only the destination URL. If you must change the alias, create a new link and leave the old alias redirecting to a relevant page.

What is the ideal alias length?

Between 4 and 15 characters. An alias that is too short is hard to make meaningful, while one that is too long defeats the purpose of a short link and makes the QR code denser. Use one or two words describing the destination, separated by a hyphen if needed.

Can the same alias be used on two domains?

Yes. Aliases are unique per domain, so kencang.in/promo and go.yourbrand.com/promo are two different links that can lead to different destinations. This makes it easier for agencies to use the same alias pattern for multiple clients.

Tim Kencang.in

Ditulis oleh tim produk dan marketing Kencang.in, pemendek link, QR code dinamis, dan bio page buatan Indonesia yang dioperasikan oleh PT Kode Digital Solusindo. Kami menulis berdasarkan pengalaman mengelola kampanye klien dan membangun fitur yang dibahas.

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