Link Expiration

Link expiration allows you to create temporary short links that automatically stop working after a specific date. This is perfect for time-sensitive promotions and limited-time offers.

Setting Expiration Dates

When creating or editing a link, you can set an expiration date and time.

To set expiration on a new link:

Create a new short link
Find the “Expiration” or “Expires At” field
Select your desired date and time
Complete the link creation

Expiration timing:

The link stops working at the exact date/time specified
Times are based on your store’s timezone
You can set expiration minutes, hours, days, or months in advance

What Happens When Links Expire

Once a link passes its expiration date:

For Visitors

Clicking the link shows “Not Found” (404 response)
No redirect occurs
No error message about expiration is shown

In Your Dashboard

The link appears in the “Expired” tab
Status indicator shows “Expired”
Click analytics remain available
The link can be deleted but not reactivated

Analytics

Historical click data is preserved
No new clicks are recorded after expiration
Reports still include the link’s performance data

Managing Expired Links

Viewing Expired Links

Go to your dashboard
Click the “Expired” tab
See all links past their expiration date

Cleaning Up

Periodically review expired links:

Delete links you no longer need
Keep links with valuable analytics data
Consider the unique key - once deleted, it becomes available again

Cannot Reactivate

Once expired, a link cannot be extended or reactivated. If you need the link to work again:

Create a new link with the same destination
Use a different unique key
Set a new (or no) expiration date

Use Cases for Expiring Links

Flash Sales

Create urgency with time-limited offers:

24-hour flash sale ending midnight
Weekend-only promotion
Holiday special valid through December 25

Early Access

VIP or subscriber early access periods:

“Shop the sale 24 hours early”
Pre-launch access for email subscribers
Influencer exclusive preview

Limited-Time Discounts

Discount codes with natural end dates:

Black Friday discount link
New customer welcome offer (7 days)
Birthday promotion (valid 1 week)

Event-Based Links

Links tied to specific events:

Webinar registration (until event date)
Contest entry (until deadline)
Product pre-order (until launch)

Seasonal Campaigns

Time-bound seasonal content:

Summer sale collection
Back-to-school promotion
Valentine’s Day gift guide

Best Practices

Set Realistic Timeframes

Give yourself buffer time:

If a sale ends at midnight, set expiration for 1 AM
Account for timezone differences in your audience

Communicate Deadlines

Let customers know the offer is limited:

“Link expires Friday at midnight”
“Early access ends in 24 hours”
Use countdown timers on landing pages

Plan Ahead

For major campaigns:

Create expiring links in advance
Test before launch
Have replacement content ready for expired pages

Track Performance

Review analytics before expiration:

Note peak click times
Identify top traffic sources
Use insights for future campaigns

Next Steps

Learn about Creating Links with all options
Track performance with Click Analytics
View historical data in Reports