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retour

Shorten Links Fast — Free URL
Shortener with Analytics

Paste your long URL, get a short link instantly. Custom aliases, QR codes, click tracking — no signup required.

Must start with http:// or https://

Custom Aliases

Branded aliases like /my-brand · 3–30 chars. Explore

QR Codes

300px PNG · one click → Generator

Privacy Analytics

Day · device · country · Hashed IPs

Why use retour?

retour is a free URL shortener built for speed, branding and insight. Paste any long URL — blog post, product page, YouTube video, affiliate link — and get a short, trackable link in under a second. Unlike generic shorteners, you can pick a custom alias like /summer-sale so every link looks trustworthy and on-brand. Branded short links see up to 39% higher click-through.

How to shorten a URL in 3 steps

  1. Paste your long URL — must start with http:// or https://.
  2. Add a custom alias (optional) — 3–30 characters, letters/numbers/dashes/underscores. Leave blank for auto-generated code.
  3. Copy, share or scan — get your short link, instant QR code and analytics at /stats/[code].

Fast, reliable 308 redirects with bot filtering

Every short link uses a 308 Permanent Redirect — the SEO-friendly way to preserve link equity. We filter known bots before logging clicks, so analytics reflects real users. Clicks are logged with timestamp, anonymized IP hash, country, device and referrer — see our privacy policy.

QR codes for print and offline sharing

Every link gets an instant, high-resolution QR code. Download as PNG for flyers, receipts, business cards or packaging. A short URL encoded in a QR produces a simpler, more scannable pattern — and because our QR codes are dynamic via the short link, you can update the destination without reprinting.

Privacy-friendly analytics

View total clicks and breakdowns by day, device and country. IP addresses are hashed with a salt and never stored raw. We use cookies only for authentication and guest-link migration — no ad tracking. Read how we handle data in privacy and our terms.

Are shortened links bad for SEO?

No. Reputable shorteners use 301/308 redirects which pass full link equity. Short links do not directly boost rankings, but they improve user experience, click-through rates and campaign tracking — all indirect SEO wins.

Free, no signup required

Shortening is free with no signup required. Create unlimited links and QR codes instantly as a guest, with complete click analytics.

FAQ

Is retour free?

Yes. Free with no signup. Unlimited links, aliases and QR codes. Sign in only for dashboard.

Can I use custom aliases?

Yes — 3–30 chars, letters/numbers/dash/underscore, e.g. /my-brand. Must be unique.

Do you track clicks?

Yes — by day, device and country at /stats/[code]. Bot filtered, IPs hashed.

Do short URLs expire?

No — never unless you set expiry. Expired returns 410 Gone.

Can I generate a QR code?

One click per link, 300px PNG via /api/qr?url=....

301 vs 308 — which do you use?

308 Permanent Redirect — preserves method and passes link equity, ideal for SEO.