Choose your domain
Decide between a subdomain of a domain you already own (link.yourbrand.com — simpler, no new purchase needed) or a separate, often shorter domain bought specifically for links (yourbrand.link or similar). A subdomain is the lower-effort choice for most people; a dedicated short domain looks cleaner but means managing an additional registration.
Add the domain in your account settings
In your dashboard, add the domain you've chosen under custom domains. This step tells the platform to expect traffic on that domain and generates the specific DNS record values you'll need to add next.
Update your DNS records
Log into wherever your domain's DNS is managed (your domain registrar, or a separate DNS provider if you use one) and add the CNAME record — or, for a root domain, an A record — exactly as shown in your account settings. A common mistake here is adding the record at the wrong level (root domain instead of the intended subdomain, or vice versa), so double-check the exact host/name field before saving.
Wait for DNS propagation
DNS changes aren't instant — they typically take anywhere from a few minutes to a few hours to fully propagate, depending on your DNS provider and existing record settings. Don't assume something is broken if the domain doesn't work immediately; check back after some time has passed before troubleshooting further.
Verify SSL/HTTPS is provisioned
Once DNS has propagated, the platform should automatically provision an SSL certificate for your domain so it serves securely over HTTPS. Visit the domain directly and confirm there's no browser security warning — a domain served without HTTPS undermines the trust a branded domain is meant to build in the first place.
Test the domain with a real link
Create a test short link on your new domain and confirm it redirects correctly to its destination, from a few different devices and networks if possible. This confirms the whole chain — DNS, SSL, and the redirect itself — is actually working end to end, not just that the domain resolves.
Set it as your default domain, if desired
Once confirmed working, you can typically set your new branded domain as the default for new links, so you don't have to manually select it every time you create one. This is optional — some teams keep multiple domains active for different brands or purposes and choose per link instead.
Decide whether to migrate existing links
Links you created before adding the custom domain generally keep working on whichever domain they were originally created on; adding a custom domain doesn't retroactively change them. Some platforms offer a way to migrate old links to the new domain if you want full consistency, but it isn't required for those links to keep functioning.
Update your bio pages, QR codes, and marketing materials
Once your branded domain is live and tested, update anything that should reflect it going forward — your bio page alias, QR codes for print material, email signatures — so new links and codes consistently carry your brand rather than a mix of the old default domain and the new one.
Troubleshoot common DNS issues
If the domain isn't working after a reasonable propagation window, the most common culprits are a record added at the wrong host/name level, a typo in the record value, or a conflicting existing record for the same subdomain that needs to be removed first. Checking the exact record against what your account settings show, character by character, resolves most of these issues.
Consider adding a second domain later
If you manage links for more than one brand, or want to separate internal links from customer-facing ones, you can typically add additional custom domains to the same account later rather than being limited to just one. There's no need to plan for this upfront — it's a straightforward addition whenever the need actually comes up.
Keep a record of your DNS setup for next time
Once everything is working, note down exactly which records you added and where, even briefly. If you ever need to move DNS providers, add a second domain, or troubleshoot an issue months from now, having the original setup documented saves you from having to rediscover the correct configuration from scratch, especially if whoever set it up originally is no longer on the team.
Plan for domain renewal separately
A custom domain still needs to be renewed with your registrar on its own schedule, entirely separate from your account subscription — losing the domain to an expired renewal would break every link built on it. Setting auto-renewal on the domain itself, if your registrar supports it, avoids this becoming a surprise months or years down the line.