How to use the link shortener (step-by-step guide)

To create a shortened link on VSM, you first need to sign in to your account (if you have no links yet, you'll see a “Sign In To Get Started” button). Once logged in, follow these steps:

• Click the “Shorten Link” or “Create Your First Link” button to open the create-link dialog.
• Paste the long URL you want to shorten into the “Destination URL” field (it must be a valid URL, e.g. https://example.com/a-very-long-path).
• If you want a memorable short link, type your own code into the “Custom Short Code (Optional)” field; leave it blank and the system will auto-generate a random 6-character code for you.
• Click “Create Short Link” to finish. Your new link appears instantly in the table in the format vsm.vn/l.php?c=your-code.
• Click the copy icon next to any link to copy it to your clipboard and share it right away.

When to use it & the benefits of shortening links

Shortening links is especially useful when sharing long URLs on social media, SMS, email campaigns, or printed materials — anywhere link length affects readability or looks. Every shortened link in your dashboard shows a live “Views” count (how many times it was clicked) and its creation date, so you can track performance without needing a separate analytics tool. This makes it easy to compare which links get the most engagement and adjust your content or distribution channel accordingly.

Tips and things to watch out for

If you set a custom code and see “Short code already taken”, try a different one — every short code on VSM must be unique across the whole system. Choosing a short, memorable code related to your content (like promo-july) is usually better than relying on the auto-generated random code, since random codes are quick but hard to remember. When your list grows, use the “Search links...” box above the table to quickly filter by short code or original URL. When a link is no longer needed, click “Delete” on its row (a confirmation prompt appears first) to remove it and keep your list tidy.

Security & free to use

VSM's link shortener is completely free, and each account can only view, manage, and delete the links it created — you can never see or remove another user's links. The tool includes spam-protection safeguards to shield your links from malicious sites and bots, and every create/delete action is verified with a security token to prevent forged requests.

Frequently asked questions

Is VSM's link shortener free? Yes, it's completely free — you just need to sign in to create and manage your links.

Can I choose my own short link name? Yes, enter your preferred code in the “Custom Short Code (Optional)” field; leave it empty and the system generates a random 6-character code automatically.

How do I know how many people clicked my link? Each link in your dashboard shows a “Views” column with the real click count.

Can I recover a deleted short link? No, once you confirm deletion the link is permanently removed from the system, so double-check before deleting.