Why Custom Domains Matter for Link Trust and Click-Through Rates

When someone sees a shortened link, they make an instant decision: do I trust this enough to click? The domain in that link plays a huge role in that decision.

The Trust Problem

Generic short link domains like bit.ly or tinyurl.com are widely used — including by spammers. Many people have learned to be cautious with links from generic shorteners, especially in email or social media.

A branded short domain (like go.yourbrand.com) immediately signals legitimacy. It tells the recipient: "This link is from a brand I recognize."

The Data on Custom Domains

Studies consistently show that branded short links outperform generic ones:

• **Up to 34% higher click-through rates** compared to generic short domains

• **Increased brand recall** — people remember your domain, not a random shortener

• **Lower spam flag rates** in email — ISPs and email clients are less likely to flag branded domains

Setting Up Your Custom Domain

The process is straightforward:

1. Choose a short, memorable subdomain (go.brand.com, links.brand.com, or brand.link)

1. Add the domain in your Brevr dashboard

1. Create a CNAME DNS record pointing to Brevr

1. Wait for verification (usually under 5 minutes)

1. Start creating links with your branded domain

Choosing the Right Domain

**Keep it short.** The whole point of a short link is brevity. go.brand.com is better than marketing-links.brand.com.

**Make it memorable.** Use subdomains like go, link, click, or try.

**Consider a new TLD.** Domains like brand.link or brand.io are increasingly popular and professional.

When to Use Custom Domains

**Always.** If you're serious about your brand, every external link should use your branded domain. This includes:

• Email campaigns

• Social media bios and posts

• Paid advertising

• Print materials with QR codes

• Partner and affiliate links

• Support documentation

The small effort of setting up a custom domain pays dividends in trust, click-through rates, and brand consistency.