Custom Domains

A custom domain turns a default link like aplnk.to/x7k2pq into a branded one like go.yourapp.com/spring-sale. Same sub-10ms redirects, same deep links, same real-time analytics. The only thing that changes is the name on the link, and that name does a lot of work.

Why use a custom domain

• More taps. People click links they recognize. A branded domain reads as "this is from a product I know," not "this is a random shortener."
• Trust. Your domain signals that the link is safe to open. Generic shorteners get filtered, flagged, and skipped.
• Brand recall. Every share reinforces your product. The link itself becomes a tiny billboard.

Custom domains are most valuable for links that travel: campaign URLs, social bios, QR codes, referral links, anything a real person reads before tapping.

Try it free

You do not need a paid plan to try a custom domain. Every organization can run one custom domain free for 3 months, no card required.

During the trial the domain is fully functional: real branded links, deep links, and live analytics, exactly like a paid domain. The one difference is that analytics for the trial domain reset to zero every 30 days. Your links never break and your settings are never touched, only the click history is temporary. Upgrade at any time to keep your data for good and stop the monthly resets.

When the 3 months end, the domain stops serving unless you have upgraded. We keep your verification and certificate, so upgrading switches it back on instantly.

Choose a subdomain

We recommend a subdomain such as links.yourapp.com or go.yourapp.com. The reason is technical but simple: setup uses a CNAME record, and DNS rules do not allow a CNAME at the root of a domain (the root already holds your NS, SOA, and MX records, which a CNAME cannot sit alongside). A subdomain is an ordinary hostname, so a standard CNAME works on every DNS provider. A subdomain also keeps your root domain free for your main site and email.

Root domains (yourapp.com with no prefix) can still work if your DNS provider supports CNAME flattening (sometimes called ALIAS or ANAME), which fakes a root CNAME for you. Not every provider does. If you only have a root domain available, the dashboard shows the workaround when you add it.

Set it up

Setup is two DNS records, added once. The dashboard generates the exact values for your domain when you add it.

1. Add the domain in the dashboard under Custom Domains. Pick your subdomain.
2. Add the routing record. A CNAME that points your subdomain at WarpLink. This is what sends traffic to us.
3. Add the certificate record. A second one-time CNAME that lets WarpLink issue and automatically renew the HTTPS certificate for your domain. You add it once and never touch it again, even at renewal.
4. Watch it go live. The dashboard checks your records automatically and walks through each stage: records detected, ownership verified, certificate issued, live. You can leave the page; provisioning keeps running and the live status stays on your domains page.

That second record is the difference between a domain that works today and one that keeps working. It hands certificate renewals to us, so your branded links never show a security warning, even years later.

HTTPS is fully managed. You never upload, configure, or renew a certificate yourself.

How long it takes

Most DNS changes apply in 5 to 15 minutes. They can take up to 48 hours to propagate fully, but that is rare. Certificate issuance usually finishes within a minute or two of your records being detected.

Plans and limits

Plan	Custom domains
Free	1 trial domain for 3 months, analytics reset every 30 days
Starter	3 domains
Growth	5 domains
Scale	10 domains
Unlimited	Unlimited domains

Paid domains have no resets and no time limit. App association files for deep linking are generated automatically for every verified custom domain.

Troubleshooting

The dashboard still says "Pending DNS." DNS changes take a few minutes to propagate. Confirm both records were saved at your DNS provider with the exact host and target shown in the dashboard, then use Refresh. If you copied a trailing dot or extra characters, remove them.

The status shows "Needs attention." This usually means the certificate record was removed or never added. Re-add the second record exactly as shown and the certificate will reissue automatically.

My root domain will not accept a CNAME. Some providers block CNAME records on a root domain. Use a subdomain such as links.yourapp.com instead. It is the most reliable option.

A link 404s after the trial ended. Trial domains stop serving at the 3-month mark. Upgrade to a paid plan to switch the domain back on instantly with its certificate intact.