What is a URL shortener and how does it work?
A URL shortener replaces a long destination address with a short domain and code, and when someone opens the short link the server immediately redirects them to the original page.
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How does a short link find the original address?
A shortener service stores the short address and the destination address as a pair. When a visitor opens the short link, the server looks up the saved destination and sends the browser there; this is called a redirect.
tlnk.kr uses an HTTP 302 (temporary) redirect for this. Why it chooses 302 over 301, and the difference between the two, is covered in 301 vs 302 redirect.
How do I create a short link on tlnk.kr?
Paste the original address into the box on the homepage and click create; you instantly get a link with an automatic 6-character code, such as tlnk.kr/Ab3dE9. Codes of 3 characters or fewer are not offered, and no sign-up is required to use the free service.
If you want a name you choose yourself, tlnk.kr also supports a subdomain-based custom name. See choose your own short link name for how.
Can any address be turned into a short link?
No. Before a link is created, tlnk.kr checks whether the destination domain has been registered for at least 1 month (30 days), whether it is actually reachable, whether it appears on Korea Communications Standards Commission (KCSC) block lists or known malware/phishing lists (URLhaus, OpenPhish), and whether it contains illegal-content keywords. Internal (private) network addresses are blocked outright.
These checks run again every day, and a link is automatically blocked once three different people report it. Only links created by a person in a browser pass; bots and automation tools cannot create them.
- Domain registered 6+ months and actually reachable
- Not on KCSC block lists, URLhaus or OpenPhish
- Internal addresses blocked, rechecked daily, auto-blocked after 3 reports
What are the benefits of using a short link?
A short link lets you place a long product URL or a UTM-tagged marketing address neatly in a bio or a post. It also gives you per-link stats such as clicks, country, device and referrer, making it easy to see which post actually worked.
Reading those stats is covered in reading short link click stats, and platform-specific tips are in short link tips by platform.
Frequently asked questions
Is tlnk.kr really free?
Yes, you can create short links and view their stats for free with no sign-up. Creating an account lets you manage all your links together from one page.
Does an ad appear when someone opens the link?
When a human visitor opens the link, a Coupang Partners ad banner may appear for about 2 seconds before the actual redirect. Search engine and preview bots are redirected immediately with no banner.
How long does a short link stay active?
There is no set expiry date, so links are never deleted automatically. If the destination site is unreachable three times in a row the link is paused automatically, and it resumes once the site recovers.
Can I preview the destination before visiting it?
Add a + to the end of the link (for example tlnk.kr/Ab3dE9+) to see the destination and its safety status first without being redirected, and you can report it from that screen if needed.