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Connect a Sub-Domain as my Branded URL Shortener

Dario
Updated

This guide shows you how to set up a subdomain for Rebrandly, a link shortening service(e.g. go.mybrand.com). There are two options depending on where your domain name is managed:

A. Using Your Existing Domain Name:

  1. Log into Rebrandly.
  2. Go to this page: https://app.rebrandly.com/domains/setup-dns
    (Domains > New Domains button > Setup DNS).
    Screenshot 2024-03-13 at 18.15.18.png
  3. Type your sub-domain name (e.g. “go.mybrand.com” or “link.mybrand.com”).
  4. Confirm that the sub-domain you added is a spare domain and click “Next” (A domain is "spare". when is not associated with any other website, blog, email or links from another service).
  5. Save or send the DNS configuration to your technical team and click next to add the sub-domain to Rebrandly.
  6. Log into your domain hosting account (GoDaddy, Hostgator, Register.com, etc.)
    • Navigate to DNS Settings page.
    • Remove all other DNS records related to your specific subdomain (the same you used in step 3, for example "go" or "link") .
    • Add another record:
      - Record type: A
      - Hostname (or Name): your subdomain (the same you used in step 3, for example, "go" or "link")
      - Point to (or Address/Value): 52.72.49.79 .
      NOTE:       If your domain hosting account accepts "*" (the wildcard) and you didn’t configure this record previously, you may use the wildcard instead of the sub-domain. If you do so, you will be able to create all future sub-domains in Rebrandly without any additional configuration steps in your domain hosting account. 
    • Save your changes
  7. Wait for your domain to be ready. You’ll receive an email from Rebrandly when your domain is correctly configured and DNS settings are propagated worldwide.

Screenshot 2024-03-13 at 18.28.36.png

How to configure your domain hosting account
This process takes place in your domain host's account, which does vary from registrar to registrar. Here are instructions for some of the most popular domain providers:

  1. How to Change DNS Records at GoDaddy
  2. How to Change DNS Records at HostGator
  3. How to Change DNS Records at Register.com
  4. How to Change DNS Records at Blue Host
  5. How to Change DNS Records at Ipage.
  6. How to Change DNS Records at InMotion Hosting.

 

B.  Using a Rebrandly Managed Domain:

  1. Log into Rebrandly.
  2. Go to this page: https://app.rebrandly.com/domains/setup-dns.
    (Domains > New Domains button > Setup DNS).
  3. Type your sub-domain name (e.g. “go.mybrand.com” or “link.mybrand.com”).
  4. Confirm that the sub-domain you added is a spare domain and click “Next”.
  5. DNS configuration will be handled automatically by us, click “Next”.
  6. Your sub-domain will ready in a few minutes.

IMPORTANT TO KNOW

  • DNS needs to be propagated all over the World in order to make the dedicated domain works. Verification time may take from several minutes up to 24 hours.

This article is about:

  • Setting up a second-level domain as a link shortener
  • Using a sub-domain for branded links
  • How to change your DNS in a 3rd party host provider
  • Changing your DNS settings

See also:

Related articles

Comments

3 comments

Date Votes
  • Cheryl

    Would love to use this, but Rackspace does not allow TLDs longer than 6 characters. Yours is 7 in xxxxxxxxxxxxx.dedicated.domains. Do you have an alternative cname address?

    0
  • David

    Hi Cheryl,

    This is a known problem, unfortunately some (historic) Domains Provider is not updated with the new GTLDs.

    In alternative you can register a new domain with us (starting from$2/year): 
    https://www.rebrandly.com/newdomain

    Or we can provide you with a different CNAME address that is more standard. 
    But please send your request in private to our Support team. 

     

     

    0
  • Cheryl

    Thank you. I will email support.

    0

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