How to Rename a Link Without Breaking It
Renaming a link can improve clarity, branding, and click-through rates—but if done carelessly, it can also break your redirects and cost you traffic. Fortunately, with the right tools and practices, you can rename a link without breaking it or losing tracking data. In this guide, we’ll walk you through how to do it the smart way.
Why Rename a Link?
Renaming a link is about more than just aesthetics. Reasons include:
- Improved branding: Clean, custom links look more trustworthy.
- Better readability: Clear URLs are more likely to be clicked and shared.
- Campaign updates: You may want to reflect new messaging without changing the destination.
- SEO and tracking tweaks: Fine-tune tracking parameters without altering your public-facing URL.
The Problem: Renaming a Link the Wrong Way
Simply changing a URL path or creating a new one without proper redirects can:
- Break existing links shared in emails, social posts, or QR codes
- Erase click history or analytics associated with the old link
- Confuse users with dead links or 404 errors
To rename a link safely, you need a system that allows renaming while preserving functionality and analytics.
The Solution: Use a Link Management Tool
A link shortening and management platform like Linkly makes renaming links safe and simple. Here’s how:
1. Use Custom Domains and Vanity URLs
With custom domains and vanity URLs, you can create branded, memorable links like:
go.yoursite.com/summer-sale
If you later decide to rename it:
go.yoursite.com/july-deals
Linkly allows you to update the slug or destination without needing to generate an entirely new link.
2. Redirect Old Links Gracefully
Linkly enables you to redirect old links to new slugs so existing traffic is not lost. This is useful when updating outdated URLs.
You can also use a domain redirect if changing your whole branding or subdomain structure.
3. Keep Click Tracking Intact
When you rename a link inside Linkly, your analytics and click history are preserved. This is unlike simply creating a new short link, which starts from zero.
4. Update Slugs Easily Without Breaking Embedded Links
If you've embedded your link in QR codes, PDFs, or newsletters, don’t worry. Linkly maintains the redirect behind the scenes so the original short link stays live—even if the slug or destination changes.
Bonus Tip: Use Linkly’s Free Plan to Get Started
You don’t need to spend a fortune to manage and rename your links reliably. Linkly’s free plan gives you:
- 1,000 tracked clicks per month
- 1 custom domain
- Full redirect control and analytics
Conclusion
Renaming a link doesn't have to be risky. With the right tools, you can change how your link looks without changing how it works. A platform like Linkly lets you rename URLs, manage redirects, and retain full click tracking—all with zero disruption to your users.
Ready to take control of your links?
Start using Linkly to rename, track, and manage your URLs without breaking a thing. Get started today.
