dlvr.it can automatically shorten the URLs in your posts using bit.ly, a third-party shortener of your choice, or your own custom branded domain. This article covers all three options.
Note on click tracking: If you use a third-party shortener instead of dlvr.it's built-in service, click stats will be tracked in your shortener's account — not in dlvr.it.
In this article
Connect bit.ly
Connect a third-party shortener
Set up a custom short domain
1. Connect bit.ly
You'll need an active bit.ly account before getting started.
Log into dlvr.it and click the Socials tab.
Click Short Links, then click + Add Shortener. 📸 [Screenshot: dlvr.it Short Links tab with the + Add Shortener button highlighted]
Choose bit.ly from the list and click Connect. 📸 [Screenshot: Shortener selection dropdown with bit.ly highlighted and the Connect button visible]
Sign into your bit.ly account and click Continue.
Confirm the authorization was successful and click Save. 📸 [Screenshot: bit.ly authorization success confirmation screen in dlvr.it]
bit.ly will now appear in your Short Links list. Select it as your Default if you'd like it to apply to all new routes automatically. 📸 [Screenshot: Short Links list showing bit.ly added, with the Default toggle highlighted]
To apply bit.ly to your existing routes: Click the edit (pen) icon next to bit.ly in the list, choose Apply this shortener to all existing routes, and click Save.
2. Connect a third-party shortener
dlvr.it supports any third-party shortener that provides API access and returns a shortened URL in plain text format.
dlvr.it does not currently support JSON or XML formatted API responses — plain text only.
Log into dlvr.it and click the Socials tab.
Click Short Links, then click + Add Shortener.
In the dropdown, choose 3rd Party Shortener. 📸 [Screenshot: Shortener selection dropdown with "3rd Party Shortener" highlighted]
Enter the API URL for your shortening service, using
@URL@as the placeholder for the link to be shortened. For example:
http://myshortener.com/shorten?url=@URL@
With additional parameters if required:
http://su.pr/api/simpleshorten?login=janedoe&apiKey=48d1d55b5a48d4ec2c5152f4419b3c44&url=@URL@
We suggest using your shortener's domain as the display name — for example, su.pr if you're using su.pr links.
Click Save.
3. Set up a custom short domain
A custom short domain lets you use your own branded URL for every link dlvr.it shares — for example, go.yourbrand.com instead of a generic shortener.
Step 1: Register a domain
You'll need to own and control the domain you want to use. If you're starting from scratch, aim for something 5–10 characters long — short enough to save space in posts, distinctive enough to reinforce your brand.
Step 2: Update your DNS settings
You'll need to make one of the following DNS changes depending on your setup:
Using a root domain (e.g. yourdomain.com) — add an A Record:
yourdomain.com. IN A 54.213.66.64
Using a subdomain (e.g. short.yourdomain.com) — add a CNAME record:
short.yourdomain.com. IN CNAME dlvr.it.
DNS changes can take up to 24 hours to propagate, though most complete much faster. dlvr.it won't let you finish the setup until DNS is confirmed — this prevents broken links from being published.
Step 3: Add your domain to dlvr.it
Log into dlvr.it and go to Socials → Short Links → + Add Shortener.
In the dropdown, select Custom Domain. 📸 [Screenshot: Shortener selection dropdown with Custom Domain highlighted]
Enter your custom short domain, choose whether to apply it to existing routes and/or set it as the default for new routes, and click Save. 📸 [Screenshot: Custom Domain setup form with the domain field filled in and the apply/default options visible]
One custom short domain can be connected per dlvr.it account. The Root Redirect field should be your main domain (e.g. www.example.com) — complex URLs with paths are not supported here.
Want to post full, unshortened URLs instead? See: Posting full, unshortened URLs in dlvr.it.