Feature
Custom URL Shortener
Swap a random link like zip1.io/aB3kQz for one people can read and remember, like zip1.io/summer-sale. Free, no account.
- No account needed
- Up to 12 characters
- Alphanumeric + emoji
- Free forever
What Are Custom Slugs?
A slug is the part of a short URL after the domain. By default, zip1.io generates a random slug like zip1.io/aB3kQz. With custom slugs, you choose what comes after the slash — so you can create links like zip1.io/product-launch or zip1.io/summer-sale.
Why Use Custom Slugs?
🏷️ Recognizable
The slug is yours to name, so every link you share reads as deliberate. The domain stays zip1.io — custom domains aren't offered.
📣 Shareability
Links like zip1.io/promo are easy to say out loud, type from memory, or include in print materials.
📊 Campaign Tracking
Name your links after your campaigns so the numbers are easy to read, with no random code to decipher. Anyone with the short link can see its stats. Password-protected links also need the password. Visitor IP addresses are stored to count unique visitors. They are never shown on the stats page or included in the export.
How to Create a Custom Slug
Via the web form — go to zip1.io, click "Advanced Options", and fill in the custom alias field.
Via the API — pass the alias field in your POST request:
curl -X POST https://zip1.io/api/create \
-H "Content-Type: application/json" \
-d '{
"url": "https://example.com/page",
"alias": "my-custom-slug"
}'Slugs may use letters, numbers, hyphens, and underscores. Anything past the first 12 characters is silently truncated, so read short_url from the response rather than assuming you got the slug you asked for. If the slug is already taken, the API returns a 409 conflict error.
Custom Slugs Across Free URL Shorteners
Here's how zip1.io compares with Bitly, TinyURL and short.io on what a campaign link needs. TinyURL also lets you pick an ending without an account. Unlike TinyURL, zip1.io has its own MCP server, so an AI assistant can make the link for you, with no account or API key.
| Feature | zip1.io | bit.ly free | tinyurl.com | short.io free |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Custom slugs without an account | Yes | No (account required) | Yes (no account; alias 5+ chars) | No |
| Free-tier link cap | None (500 a day on the site, 1,000 by API) | 5 / month | 30 / month (free account) | 1,000 total |
| Click analytics on free tier | Yes — full | Limited | No | Yes |
| A click limit (Advanced Options → Max clicks) | Yes | No | No | Paid only |
| Public REST API without API key | Yes | No | Limited | No |
| MCP / AI agent integration | Yes | Yes (free account + OAuth/API token) | No | Yes (account + API key) |
Comparison reflects publicly documented free-tier features at time of writing. Vendor terms change — check their current pricing page for the latest.
FAQ
-
Do I need an account to use custom slugs?
No. Custom slugs work without any account or API key. Just include the
aliasfield in your request. -
What characters are allowed in a custom slug?
Alphanumeric characters (a–z, A–Z, 0–9), hyphens, and underscores, up to 12 characters long. Emoji slugs are also supported — see our Emoji URLs page.
-
What happens if my slug is already taken?
The API returns a 409 Conflict response. Choose a different alias and try again.
-
Are custom slugs good for marketing campaigns?
Yes — that's their main use case. The UTM parameters page shows one short link per channel, each with its own tags.