A few weeks ago I started getting frustrated because I had to go into my apache config file every time I wanted to add a redirect link. I stopped using BudURL and TinyURL some time ago because my users have started to realize that they’re being tracked whenever they see a link from one of these services. I’ve talked with several other Affiliate marketers and they’ve been saying the same thing, “don’t put a tinyurl on your site.” Affiliates are always concerned with masking their URLs and with tracking so these link shrinking services seemed perfect for them… well, now users have caught on.

Last week, I started working on my own replacement for TinyURL, a WordPress plugin named “Pretty Link.” The thing that’s great about this plugin is that I can now generate ultra small urls that redirect wherever I want and hang off of my domain name! I’m also able to track clicks on these URLs and in future releases of this plugin more stats than just clicks in future upgrades.

I just released this plugin tonight and can be downloaded from the WordPress plugin directory here:

http://blairwilliams.com/download