What Smart Links Are
Smart Links are ClickMagick's short, trackable links. Instead of sharing a long affiliate URL or a page full of UTM tags, you share something like go.yoursite.com/guide. Every click is recorded, filtered for bots, and can be tied to the sales it produces.
ClickMagick describes them as the tool for tracking affiliate promotions and solo ads, creating branded short links, and adding geotargeting, custom domains and pixels.
What You Can Do With Them
Branded Short Links
Use your own short domain for clean links in captions, emails, SMS and print.
Affiliate Tracking
Send clicks to an affiliate offer and see which posts, emails or ads produced commissions.
Solo Ad Checks
See how many clicks a vendor really sent and how many were genuine.
Geotargeting
Send visitors from different countries to different destinations.
Retargeting Pixels
Fire retargeting pixels on the link so you can build audiences even when you don't own the destination page.
Device Redirects
Route iOS or mobile visitors to a different page from desktop visitors.
Smart Links vs a Basic Shortener
| Capability | Basic link shortener | ClickMagick Smart Links |
|---|---|---|
| Short branded links | Yes | Yes |
| Click counts | Yes | Yes |
| Bot and fraud filtering | Limited | Yes |
| Conversion and sale tracking | No | Yes |
| Affiliate postback support | No | Yes |
| Geotargeting and device routing | Sometimes, on paid plans | Yes |
If all you need is a tidy link and a click count, a free shortener is fine. Smart Links earn their place when you need to know which links make money.
Setting One Up
- Add a custom domainA short subdomain you own, set up once in ClickMagick. See our custom tracking domain guide.
- Create the linkEnter the destination, such as your affiliate URL, and a short, readable slug.
- Add optionsGeotargeting, device redirects or a retargeting pixel if you need them.
- Set up conversion trackingFor affiliate offers, add the network's postback so sales come back. See postback URL tracking.
- Use one link per placementA separate link for each email, post or vendor keeps reports clear.
When to Use Campaigns Instead
ClickMagick's main tracking product is Campaigns, which runs on your own website and funnels with full attribution models, cross-device tracking and Audience Optimization. Its own help docs say many users never need tracking links at all.
Our rule of thumb: if the visitor lands on a page you control, use Campaigns. If they go straight to a page you don't control, such as an affiliate offer, use a Smart Link. See tracking links vs Campaigns.
Who Smart Links Suit
- Affiliates linking directly to offers from email, social or video.
- Solo ad buyers who need independent click counts and quality checks.
- Creators who want clean, branded links in bios and descriptions.
- Offline marketers using short links on print, podcasts or packaging.
Short, branded links that show which clicks pay.
Try ClickMagick FreeFrequently Asked Questions
What are ClickMagick Smart Links?
Smart Links are ClickMagick's short, trackable links. You can put them on your own branded domain, use them for affiliate promotions and solo ads, add geotargeting, and place retargeting pixels on them.
Can ClickMagick replace a link shortener like Bitly?
For marketers, often yes. ClickMagick works as a link shortener, especially with a short custom domain, and adds conversion tracking and bot filtering that basic shorteners don't offer.
Do I need Smart Links if I use ClickMagick Campaigns?
Not always. Campaigns track your own website and funnels and are the main way to use ClickMagick. Smart Links are for situations where you're linking somewhere you can't add tracking code, such as an affiliate offer.
Can I use my own domain for Smart Links?
Yes. Set up a custom domain in ClickMagick and you can use it for as many short links as you like.
Which attribution models work with tracking links?
ClickMagick's tracking links support first-click and last-click attribution. Its full set of models is available in Campaigns.