How to Earn BIG with Short Links ($2137.58)

Introduction

With over 7 years of experience in the field of URL Shorteners i have compiled the best shorteners to help you make money online, check out the list below.

The Basic Mechanism (How it works)

Shortening the URL: Users start by taking a long URL (which could be a link to a blog post, video, product page, or any content) and use a URL shortening service to create a shorter, more manageable version of this link.

This service not only makes the link more aesthetically pleasing and easier to share but also embeds a monetization mechanism within the shortened URL.

Monetization Through Ads: When the shortened URL is clicked, instead of going directly to the destination page, the visitor is temporarily redirected to an intermediate page.

This page displays an advertisement for a few seconds. The type of ads can vary, ranging from banner ads and video ads to interstitial ads that cover the screen.

Earning Revenue: The revenue generated from showing these ads to visitors is then shared between the URL shortening service and the user who shortened and shared the link.

The amount earned per click can vary widely depending on the ad network, the geographical location of the visitors, and the niche of the content.

Top URL Shorteners for making money online (My Ranking)

Linkvertise

• Payout Rate: Up to $70 per 1000 views, heavily dependent on the quality of traffic and user engagement.
• Minimum Payout: €10.
• Payment Methods: PayPal, Bank Transfer, and Amazon vouchers (for German residents).
• Features: Linkvertise focuses on delivering a user-friendly experience without annoying pop-ups or captchas. Publishers can earn more by enabling optional content such as video ads, article banners, and app installations.
• Often praised for its high payout rates and user-friendly experience without aggressive ads. Its higher earnings potential for quality traffic makes it a top choice for many users.

Shorte.st

• Payout Rate: Rates vary; typically, around $10-$12 per 1000 views for US traffic.
• Minimum Payout: $5 for PayPal and WebMoney, $20 for Payoneer.
• Payment Methods: PayPal, Payoneer, and WebMoney.
• Features: Besides link shortening, Shorte.st offers a WordPress plugin and a script for website owners to monetize all outgoing links. It provides detailed statistics to track your earnings.
• Offers a variety of tools beyond just URL shortening, like a WordPress plugin and a script for website monetization, making it very appealing for publishers. Competitive rates and reliable payments also contribute to its high ranking.

Adf.ly

• Payout Rate: Variable, generally between $5 to $15 per 1000 views, depending on the country.
• Minimum Payout: $5.
• Payment Methods: PayPal, Payoneer, and Bank Transfer.
• Features: Adf.ly offers a comprehensive dashboard, full API support for developers, and detailed statistics for tracking your links. It is one of the oldest and most trusted URL shortening services.
• One of the oldest and most trusted platforms in the URL shortening space. It offers a balance between user experience and earnings potential, along with a low minimum payout.

Clk.sh

• Payout Rate: Varies, with an average of $3 to $5 per 1000 views for Tier 1 countries.
• Minimum Payout: $5.
• Payment Methods: PayPal, Skrill, and Bank Transfer.
• Features: Clk.sh provides high CPM rates, a user-friendly dashboard, and detailed reports. It also offers a 20% referral bonus, which is a great way to increase your earnings.
• Known for high CPM rates for Tier 1 countries and a clean interface. Its 20% referral bonus is an attractive feature for users looking to boost their earnings.

Smoner

• Payout Rate: Up to $7 per 1000 views, depending on the visitor’s country.
• Minimum Payout: $3.
• Payment Methods: PayPal.
• Features: Smoner is easy to use and offers a clean interface. It provides detailed statistics and allows users to earn money without much setup or maintenance.
• Offers easy-to-use features with competitive payout rates. The low minimum payout makes it accessible for smaller publishers to start earning sooner.

Ouo.io

• Payout Rate: Around $1.5 to $5 per 1000 views, varying by country.
• Minimum Payout: $5.
• Payment Methods: PayPal, Payeer, and Payoneer.
• Features: Ouo.io offers a simple and straightforward platform with full mobile support. It provides an API and detailed statistics for tracking your earnings and traffic.
• Provides a straightforward platform with decent payout rates and supports a wide range of countries. Its full mobile support is a significant advantage for traffic from mobile devices.

ShrinkEarn

• Payout Rate: Up to $20 per 1000 views, depending on the country.
• Minimum Payout: $5.
• Payment Methods: PayPal, Paytm (India), UPI, Skrill, and Bank Transfer.
• Features: ShrinkEarn offers one of the highest payout rates in the industry. It has a straightforward interface and provides real-time statistics.
• While it offers some of the highest rates per 1000 views, the user experience and ad quality can vary, which might affect its overall ranking.

When choosing a URL shortener to make money, consider the payout rate, ease of use, minimum payout threshold, and payment methods. It’s also wise to read reviews and check the reputation of the service to ensure you’ll receive your earnings. Always remember to share your links responsibly to avoid spamming and potentially getting banned from the service.

Factors Influencing Earnings

• Traffic Quality: The geographical location and the quality of the traffic significantly affect earnings. Clicks from countries with higher advertiser spending (like the US, Canada, UK) usually earn more.
• Volume of Traffic: More clicks generally mean more earnings, but this also depends on the click-through rate (CTR) and the conversion rate of the ads.
• Niche and Content Type: Certain niches may attract higher ad rates due to the higher commercial intent of the audience.

Making Money: The Process (Step by Step)

Making money through URL shorteners is a straightforward process that involves a few key steps. Here’s a detailed look at each step in the process:

1. Sign Up and Create

• Initial Setup: The first step is to find a URL shortening service that supports monetization. Services like Linkvertise, Adf.ly, and Shorte.st are popular choices. Users must create an account, which usually requires providing an email address and setting up a password.
• Shortening Links: Once registered, users can start shortening their links through the service’s platform. This typically involves pasting the original URL into a designated field and clicking a button to generate a shorter version. Many services also offer options to customize the slug (the end part of the URL) to make it more relevant or memorable.

2. Share and Promote

• Strategic Distribution: The success of monetizing shortened links largely depends on how effectively they are shared and promoted. Users should share their links on platforms where they’re likely to get clicked, such as social media pages, blogs, forums, and email newsletters.
• Targeting the Right Audience: Understanding the audience on each platform is crucial. For instance, a link shared on LinkedIn might require a different approach compared to one shared on Twitter, considering the audience’s interests and the platform’s content style.
• Compliance and Etiquette: It’s important to follow the rules and norms of each platform. Spamming links can lead to bans or penalties. Providing value and context with each link can improve click-through rates and audience trust.

3. Generate and Collect Revenue

• Earning From Clicks: Each time someone clicks on the shortened link, they are shown an advertisement before being redirected to the original content. This ad view generates revenue, a portion of which is paid to the user who shortened and shared the link.
• Tracking Earnings: Users can monitor their earnings through the dashboard provided by the URL shortening service. These dashboards offer insights into the number of clicks, earnings per click, total earnings, and more, helping users optimize their strategies.
• Withdrawing Earnings: Once the earnings reach the service’s minimum payout threshold, users can request a withdrawal. Payment methods vary by service but commonly include PayPal, bank transfers, and other online payment platforms.

Tips for Maximizing Earnings

• Quality Over Quantity: Focus on sharing quality content that is relevant to your audience. Links that offer value are more likely to be clicked.
• Diversify Your Platforms: Don’t rely on a single platform for sharing links. Utilize various channels to reach different audiences and increase potential clicks.
• Engage Your Audience: Build and maintain an engaged audience. An active and interested follower base can significantly boost your click-through rates.
• Analyze and Adapt: Use the analytics tools provided by the URL shortening service to understand what works and what doesn’t. Adapt your strategy based on data to continuously improve your earnings.

By following these steps and continually optimizing your approach, making money with URL shorteners can be a viable side hustle or even a primary source of income for some.

Different Strategies for Promoting Your Short links

Promoting short links effectively to make money requires a mix of creativity, strategy, and understanding of your audience. Here are several strategies to help you maximize the earnings from your shortened URLs:

1. Content Integration

• Embed in Quality Content: Create valuable and engaging content where short links feel like a natural part of the material. This could be blog posts, informative videos, tutorials, or guides related to the link’s destination.
• Use Anchor Text Wisely: When placing links in content, use relevant anchor text that gives the reader an idea of what to expect. This approach can increase click-through rates.

2. Social Media Promotion

• Tailor to Each Platform: Customize your message for each social media platform. What works on Twitter might not work on LinkedIn or Instagram. Consider the platform’s culture and content format.
• Engage With Your Audience: Don’t just post links; interact with your followers. Ask questions, join discussions, and respond to comments to build trust and interest.
• Leverage Trends: Tie your links to trending topics or viral content to capture more attention and clicks.

3. Email Marketing

• Newsletter Inclusion: Include short links in your email newsletters as part of valuable content or offers. Make sure they are relevant to your audience’s interests.
• Segment Your Audience: Tailor your emails to different segments of your audience for more personalized and effective promotion of your short links.

4. Online Communities and Forums

• Contribute Valuably: Join forums and communities related to your niche. Participate actively and share your short links when they add value to the discussion.
• Respect the Rules: Always follow the community guidelines regarding link posting to avoid being flagged as spam.

5. Paid Advertising

• Use Push Ads: They can be cheap and if you earn more than you spend, you have a positive ROI.

6. Video Content

• YouTube Videos: Create and upload videos related to the content of your short links. Include the links in the video description and mention them during the video to drive clicks.
• Live Streaming: If you’re into live streaming, mention the content of your short links live and include them in your video description or comments.

7. Leverage Influencers

• Partner with Influencers: Collaborate with influencers who can share your short links with their audience. Choose influencers relevant to your niche for better engagement.

8. SEO Techniques

• Optimize Content: Ensure that any content hosting your short links is optimized for search engines. This increases the visibility of your links through organic search.

9. Analytics and Optimization

• Track Your Links: Use the analytics tools provided by your URL shortening service to track the performance of your links. Analyze the data to understand what works best and refine your strategies accordingly.

10. Ethical Considerations and Transparency

• Be Transparent: Let your audience know that clicking on the link supports you or leads to advertisements. Transparency builds trust and can improve click-through rates.

If you have an Email list with 50k subscribers, and you send 10 emails per month, you can earn up to $1200 with linkvertise, the same applies for social media following.