Edit and Update a Short Link
Trimlink allows you to modify existing short links at any time without having to start from scratch. You can seamlessly update your routing destination, tweak tracking parameters, redesign your QR code, and adjust security settings while preserving all of your historical analytics data.
Watch the complete video demonstration below to see how to update a live short link, or read on for a step-by-step guide.
Video Demonstration
Getting Started
To open a short link for editing:
- Sign in to your account and select your active workspace.
- Navigate to Short Links from the left sidebar.
- Locate the short link you want to update from your list.
- Click the Edit icon (usually represented by a pencil) next to the link.
The edit page will open with all of your current settings already populated.
Phase 1: Core Link Details
You can modify the primary routing details and internal identifiers at any time.
1. Update the Link Title
Update the internal title used for organization inside your dashboard to reflect any campaign changes (e.g., changing Spring Sale to Summer Sale). This title remains invisible to your visitors.
2. Update the Destination URL
Replace the existing destination URL if your campaign has moved or you want to route traffic to a new landing page.
- Note: Updating the destination URL does not erase your historical click data. However, the new URL will be scanned by our security infrastructure to ensure it is safe from malicious or phishing content.
Phase 2: Branding & Organization
Customize how your link appears to the public and how it is organized internally.
1. Modify the URL Slug, Header & Domain
If your workspace supports multiple domains, you can choose a different domain for the link, or customize the slug and header to match new branding requirements.
Critical Warning: If you modify the URL Slug or Custom Header, the original short link will immediately break. Any previously printed QR codes, social media posts, or emails containing the old link structure will no longer function.
- URL Slug Rules: Must be between 3 and 30 characters. Only letters, numbers, hyphens (
-), and underscores (_) are allowed. Spaces are prohibited. - Custom Header Rules: Maximum of 20 characters. Only letters, numbers, hyphens (
-), and underscores (_) are allowed. Spaces are prohibited.
2. Update Tags
Keep your workspace clean as campaigns evolve by updating your organizational tags. You can add or remove keyword tags (e.g., marketing, social-media) at any time to adjust how this link is filtered and searched within your massive link library.
3. Update Collections
Move the link to a different folder by opening the dropdown and selecting an existing collection, or click New Collection to create one instantly and assign the link to it.
Phase 3: QR Code Redesign
If QR Code generation is enabled, you can completely overhaul its appearance. Note: Changing the QR design does not affect the link's analytics or routing data.
- Update Styling & Colors: Modify the QR style, eye shape, corner style, border, and brand colors. Select a new color from the palette to preview the changes instantly.
- Replace the Logo: Click the logo upload area to select a new image from your device. The new logo will automatically be centered inside your updated QR code.
Phase 4: Security & Tracking Updates
Adapt your live link to new marketing requirements by updating its advanced settings.
1. Update Password Protection
You can lock an unprotected link or change the password of an already secured link. Enable the feature and enter your new password.
- Password Rules: Must be between 6 and 255 characters long.
2. Extend or Remove Link Expiration
Modify existing expiration settings whenever your campaign timeline changes. You can push the end date further into the future to extend a promotion, or remove the expiration completely to make an expired link active again.
3. Toggle GPS Tracking
Enable or disable GPS tracking. Remember, if you turn this on for a live link, future visitors will suddenly be prompted to grant browser location permissions before proceeding.
4. Update UTM Parameters
Adjust your UTM parameters to keep campaign reporting accurate across Google Analytics and CRM platforms. You can edit the Source, Medium, Campaign, Term, and Content fields without creating a new link.
Phase 5: Edit and Update Existing Landing Pages (If that is landing page)
As your campaigns evolve, you can seamlessly modify your live landing pages at any time without needing to create a completely new URL.
Safe Updates (No URL Breakage)
You can safely update the following settings without breaking your existing URL or losing any historical analytics data:
- Swap the Template: Select a completely different published template to display to your visitors instantly.
- QR Redesigns: Tweak the colors, border styles, or logo of your QR code and download the new version.
- Security Settings: Add, update, or remove passwords and link expiration dates.
- Organization: Update your Tags and Collections to keep your workspace clean.
Critical URL Modification Warning: If you modify the Domain, URL Slug, or Custom Header, your original URL structure will immediately break. Any previously shared links, active ad campaigns, or printed QR codes pointing to the old URL structure will become inactive and will display an error page to visitors.
Finalize and Save
After completing your updates:
- Review all modifications carefully.
- Click Update Link.
- Wait a brief moment for the security validation to complete.
What Happens After Updating?
Trimlink will save your changes immediately.
- The short link routing updates instantly.
- All existing analytics, click history, and reporting data remain perfectly preserved.
- New tracking parameters and security rules start applying to future visitors the exact second you click update.
- If you updated your QR code design, you can now download the fresh image for your new marketing materials!
Can I Inactivate a Link Instead of Deleting It?
Yes. If you want to temporarily disable a link without losing its analytics data, you can toggle the Active/Inactive switch at the left of the short link listing page. Inactive links will no longer route visitors to the destination, but all historical data remains intact.
Filtering and Searching Your Links
If you have a large number of links, you can use the search bar and filters to quickly locate the link you want to edit. You can filter by Tags, Collections, Slug, Active/Inactive status, Expiration Date, GPS Enabled, QR Code Enabled etc features to narrow down your results.
Frequently Asked Questions
- No. Updating the destination URL only changes where future visitors are routed. All of your historical analytics, click counts, and scan data remain perfectly preserved.
- No. If you modify the URL slug or custom header, the original short link will immediately break and lead to an error page. Any previously printed QR codes or shared links using the old structure will no longer function.
- Yes. While the short link itself continues to work, the physical appearance of the QR code has changed. You will need to download the newly generated QR image to use the updated design on future materials.
- Yes. You can enable Password Protection at any time. The moment you click Update, all future visitors will be required to enter the password before accessing the destination.
- Yes. You can edit an expired link and either push the expiration date further into the future or disable the expiration feature entirely to reactivate the link.
- Every time you update a destination URL, it passes through Trimlink's security infrastructure. If the new URL is flagged for malicious activity, phishing, or harmful content, the update will be blocked.
- Yes. You can update your UTM parameters at any time. The new tracking tags will apply to all future clicks, keeping your analytics reporting accurate without needing to generate a new link.
- A custom slug must be between 3 and 30 characters. A custom header can be up to 20 characters. Both only allow letters, numbers, hyphens, and underscores. Spaces are not permitted.