Bitly
URL shortener and link management.
About Bitly
Bitly is a link management platform providing an API for shortening, customizing, and tracking URLs. Core capabilities include generating short links (Bitlinks), applying custom domains (Branded Short Domains), mobile deep linking, and retrieving click analytics through automated API calls.
The API centers on the /v4/shorten endpoint, which accepts a long URL along with a group GUID and domain, and returns a shortened link. Authentication is handled via a bearer access token passed in the request header. Additional capabilities documented include creating webhooks, generating QR codes, and creating 2D barcodes.
The platform is intended for developers integrating link shortening and tracking into applications, including use cases like SMS distribution and app integration. SDKs are available for Android, iOS, and npm, along with an OpenAPI 3.0 specification and an MCP server. Use requires a Bitly account, with link limits determined by the account's plan.
Key features
- Shorten and customize links via API
- Mobile deep linking support
- Click analytics and engagement metrics
- Webhook creation for link events
- QR code and 2D barcode generation
- SDKs for Android, iOS, and npm
Frequently asked questions
What authentication method does the Bitly API use?
It uses an access token passed as a Bearer token in the Authorization header.
What platforms and languages are supported?
Bitly offers an Android SDK, an iOS SDK, and an npm package, along with an OpenAPI 3.0 spec.
Do I need a Bitly account to use the API?
Yes, you need a Bitly account and should check your plan's link limits before getting started.
What is the main endpoint for shortening a link?
You send a POST request to https://api-ssl.bitly.com/v4/shorten with a long_url to receive a shortened link.
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