What Is a Retargeting Link? Why It Matters

A retargeting link is a shortened URL that contains a retargeting pixel. When someone clicks that link, the pixel fires and adds them to your ad audience — even if they never visit your website.

Marketers use these links to track engagement and later show tailored ads to people who clicked on shared content, social posts, or affiliate links.

Most people who engage with your content won’t convert on the first click. Retargeting links help bridge that gap by:

• Capturing audiences anywhere — social media, emails, PDFs, QR codes, or affiliate promotions.
• Reducing ad waste — you only advertise to people who’ve already shown interest.
• Improving conversion rates — repeated exposure increases the likelihood of a sale.
• Building owned audiences — you can later reach the same users through Facebook, LinkedIn, Google Ads, or TikTok.

1. You create a link in a tool like Linkly.
2. You attach a pixel from your ad platform (e.g. Facebook Pixel, LinkedIn Insight Tag, or Google Ads tag).
3. You share the link — on social, in newsletters, or via influencers.
4. When users click, the pixel fires instantly, and the user is added to your retargeting audience.
5. Later, you run ads targeting everyone who clicked.

This process allows you to track and retarget without needing access to the landing page’s code.

Linkly makes it easy to create and manage retargeting links in minutes:

• Simple pixel integration: Add Facebook, TikTok, LinkedIn, or custom pixels in seconds — learn how here.
• Detailed click analytics: Track clicks, referrers, and locations — see how Linkly tracks clicks.
• Custom domains and vanity URLs: Build trust with branded links — set up your custom domain.
• Geo and device targeting: Send visitors to different destinations by location or device — create geo-redirects.
• Free plan: Includes 1,000 tracked clicks per month — see pricing.

Imagine you share a YouTube video about a product review on social media.
If 5,000 people click your retargeting link, all 5,000 can be added to your Facebook Ads audience — even though the video isn’t hosted on your site.

Later, when you run Facebook or Instagram ads for that product, they’ll be shown to those same viewers. This boosts conversion rates and ad efficiency dramatically.

1. Log in to your Linkly dashboard.
2. Click “New Link” → “Add Tracking Pixel.”
3. Paste your destination URL (e.g. a YouTube video, article, or affiliate page).
4. Select your pixel provider (Facebook, TikTok, LinkedIn, etc.).
5. Save and share your link.

That’s it — every click is now tracked and added to your retargeting list.

• Retargeting links let you build ad audiences from any shared link, not just your own site.
• They’re vital for content marketers, affiliates, and social advertisers.
• Linkly simplifies setup with pixel support, analytics, and custom domains.

Get started with Linkly today. Create branded, trackable retargeting links and grow your audience automatically — no coding required.