URL Shortener
What is a URL Shortener?
A URL shortener is a tool that converts long links into shorter, easier-to-share URLs. This is useful on platforms where space is limited and also makes links cleaner in campaigns, posts, and printed materials. A short link redirects the user to the original destination.
How MailIt.Click Works: Powerful and Simple URL Shortening
MailIt.Click shortens long links like https://example.com/path?query=value into compact versions such as http://mailit.click/5c0ba9. When someone clicks the short link, our system identifies the code, retrieves the original URL, and redirects the user.
Key Features
| Security and Trust: HTTPS support for secure transmission and better user confidence |
| Social Media Optimization: Cleaner links that save characters and improve sharing |
| Parameter Preservation (Type 2): Keeps and uses tracking parameters when required (x, y, i, u) |
| Analytics (Clicks + Geo): Stores click data and basic geolocation (country/region/city, timezone, lat/lon) |
| Proxy Detection: Basic detection for open proxies (PUB) to help identify suspicious traffic |
Real-World Application Example
A marketing team creates a campaign link: http://mailit.click/8d3f2e?source=newsletter&promo=summer50. When users click:
| System identifies the code 8d3f2e |
Retrieves the original URL (example: https://store.com/sale) |
| Reads the short-link parameters (if present) and keeps them available for tracking |
| Redirects to the destination while keeping your campaign context |
Technical Specifications
| Code Format | 6-character hexadecimal (a-f, 0-9) |
| Parameter Handling | Supports query parameters; Type 2 uses x, y, i, u for visit tracking |
| Geo & Proxy (Free Plan) | Basic geolocation + open proxy detection (PUB). Database updated daily. |
| Error Handling | User-friendly pages for invalid/missing links |
Geo & Proxy Intelligence (What We Added)
MailIt.Click can enrich each click with basic IP intelligence using the free IP2Location plan. This helps you understand where your traffic comes from and identify suspicious sources such as open proxies.
| • | Basic geolocation: country, region/state, city, timezone, and coordinates (lat/lon). |
| • | Proxy flags: basic proxy detection and open proxies detection (PUB). |
| • | Better reporting: filter clicks by country/city/timezone and see proxy vs non-proxy traffic. |
| • | Cost control: with caching you can reduce API calls and stay within 50K/month. |
How MailIt.Click Handles Shortened URLs
MailIt.Click supports different types of shortened URLs, each with unique behaviors for handling clicks, visits, and parameters. Below is a detailed explanation of how each type works.
Type 0: Direct Redirection
Type 0 URLs are simple direct redirections without additional processing.
| Counts Clicks: | Yes |
| Counts Visits: | No |
| Processes Additional Parameters: | No (ignores them) |
| Geo & Proxy Logged: | Yes (basic geo + proxy flag for analytics) |
| Examples: |
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Type 1: Advertisement Redirection
Type 1 URLs redirect users to an advertisement page before continuing to the original destination.
| Counts Clicks: | Yes |
| Counts Visits: | No |
| Processes Additional Parameters: | No (ignores them) |
| Redirects to Ads: | Yes |
| Geo & Proxy Logged: | Yes (useful for ad traffic quality) |
| Examples: |
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Type 2: Advanced Redirection with Visit Tracking
Type 2 URLs require additional parameters (x, y, i, u) to register visits and complete redirection.
| Counts Clicks: | Yes |
| Counts Visits: | Yes |
| Processes Additional Parameters: | Yes (uses them for visit tracking) |
| Searches Parameters in Original URL: | Yes (if not provided in the short URL) |
| Geo & Proxy Logged: | Yes (helps analyze conversions by region and detect proxy patterns) |
| Examples: |
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x, y, i, u) in either the short URL or the original URL, the system will only count the click. The redirection will fail, and the browser may display a "Page Not Found" error.
Why You Should Use an HTTPS URL Shortener
In today's digital age, where security and efficiency are key, using a URL shortener that implements HTTPS has become essential. This protocol not only ensures that information transferred between the browser and server is encrypted, but also increases user trust by knowing their data is protected. A URL shortener with SSL/TLS is not just a security standard, but also a tool that enhances your brand's reputation, especially when sharing content through social media or digital marketing campaigns.
What is a URL or Link?
A URL (Uniform Resource Locator) is the specific address used to access a resource on the web, such as a page, image, or document. In simple terms, it’s the location that indicates where to find something on the internet. For example, "www.google.com" is a URL that leads to Google's search engine.
A link or hyperlink is a reference within a document that, when selected, redirects to another URL or section of the same page. While URLs are full addresses, links are often more contextual and are used within websites to facilitate navigation between different pages or resources.
Benefits of Using an HTTPS URL Shortener
| • | Security and Trust: HTTPS ensures encrypted communication between user and server. |
| • | Optimization for Social Media: Short links maximize message space and look cleaner. |
| • | Link Tracking and Measurement: Click logs can include user-agent, basic geolocation, and proxy signals for better decision-making. |
| • | Aesthetics and Customization: Branded short links improve trust and memorability. |
| • | QR Code Generation: QR codes can connect offline campaigns to online pages instantly. |
Reliable Link Management for Real Campaigns
MailIt.Click is designed to help you manage and measure links in marketing campaigns and day-to-day sharing. By combining short links with click logs, geolocation, and basic proxy detection, you can understand traffic sources and improve your targeting over time.
Conclusion
MailIt.Click is more than a URL shortener: it’s a practical link management tool that supports secure redirects (HTTPS), multiple link behaviors (Type 0/1/2), and useful analytics like basic geolocation and open proxy detection. This gives you cleaner links, better tracking, and more insight into traffic quality.