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Social Planner - Link Shortener

Learn how to use the Link Shortener in GHL Customer Care’s Social Planner to turn long URLs into clean, concise links and improve the readability of your social posts.

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On this page
  1. Key Benefits of the Link Shortener
  2. How to Use the Link Shortener in Social Planner
  3. Notes About the Link Shortener
  4. Link Tracking in Social Planner Statistics
  5. Link Click Analytics
  6. Campaign Tracking
  7. Filters & Sorting
  8. Quick URL Preview
  9. Frequently Asked Questions
  10. Related Article

This article explains how to use the Link Shortener feature inside GHL Customer Care’s Social Planner. Link shorteners help keep your social media posts clean and concise by automatically converting long URLs into compact links in your post preview.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

What is the Link Shortener?

The Link Shortener is a built-in feature within Social Planner that automatically converts long, complex URLs into shorter, more manageable links in your post preview. While the full URL remains visible in your content editor, the shortened link is displayed in the live preview and in the published post itself.

This functionality helps improve the overall readability and visual appeal of your social content, especially when sharing URLs from blogs, landing pages, or external websites.

  • Clean posts: Keeps social posts uncluttered by shortening long URLs.
  • Better experience: Improves user experience with concise, easy-to-read links.
  • Auto-shortening: Automatically generates a shortened version of any long URL.
  • Post preview: Shows how the final post will look with the shortened link.
  • Cross-platform support: Works across all connected social platforms in Social Planner.

This step-by-step guide shows how to use the Link Shortener while composing social media posts:

  1. Navigate to Marketing > Social Planner from the left-hand menu.
    Step 1 of 10: Navigate to Marketing > Social Planner from the left-hand menu What this shows Step 1 of 10: Navigate to Marketing > Social Planner from the left-hand menu. What this shows Shows where to go for step 1 of 10 in the "How to Use the Link Shortener in Social Planner" section of "Social Planner - Link Shortener". This screenshot accompanies step 1 of 10 in the "How to Use the Link Shortener in Social Planner" section of "Social Planner - Link Shortener". At this point in the walkthrough you navigate to Marketing > Social Planner from the left-hand menu. The navigation path used here is Marketing > Social Planner. This part of the guide covers 2 fields, listed below. The next step is to click on + New Post > + Create New Post button. Step 1 of 10Path: Marketing > Social PlannerImage 1 of 9 Where to goNavigate to Marketing > Social Planner from the left-hand menu.
    Fields in this part of the guide Setup Tracking Details:Once inserted:
    Buttons and menus referenced Marketing > Social PlannerNew Post > + Create New Postpost composerContentURL ShortenerName of the LinkTarget URLTrackingDetailsGenerate and Insert Linkpreview paneinput field
    Next stepClick on + New Post > + Create New Post button.
    All 10 steps in this procedure
    1. Navigate to Marketing > Social Planner from the left-hand menu. this image
    2. Click on + New Post > + Create New Post button.
    3. In the post composer, select the social media accounts where you’d like to publish the post.
    4. In the Content input box, add your content.
    5. Click the URL Shortener icon located next to the content editor.
    6. Add Name of the Link & Target URL.
    7. Setup Tracking Details:
    8. Click on Generate and Insert Link button.
    9. Once inserted:
    10. Review your post, and then choose Publish or Schedule to send it out at a later time.
  2. Click on + New Post > + Create New Post button.
    Step 2 of 10: Click on + New Post > + Create New Post button What this shows Step 2 of 10: Click on + New Post > + Create New Post button. What this shows Shows what to click for step 2 of 10 in the "How to Use the Link Shortener in Social Planner" section of "Social Planner - Link Shortener". This screenshot accompanies step 2 of 10 in the "How to Use the Link Shortener in Social Planner" section of "Social Planner - Link Shortener". At this point in the walkthrough you click on + New Post > + Create New Post button. The navigation path used here is Marketing > Social Planner. This part of the guide covers 2 fields, listed below. The next step is to in the post composer, select the social media accounts where you’d like to publish the post. Step 2 of 10Path: Marketing > Social PlannerImage 2 of 9 What to clickClick on + New Post > + Create New Post button.
    Fields in this part of the guide Setup Tracking Details:Once inserted:
    Buttons and menus referenced New Post > + Create New PostMarketing > Social Plannerpost composerContentURL ShortenerName of the LinkTarget URLTrackingDetailsGenerate and Insert Linkpreview paneinput field
    Next stepIn the post composer, select the social media accounts where you’d like to publish the post.
    All 10 steps in this procedure
    1. Navigate to Marketing > Social Planner from the left-hand menu.
    2. Click on + New Post > + Create New Post button. this image
    3. In the post composer, select the social media accounts where you’d like to publish the post.
    4. In the Content input box, add your content.
    5. Click the URL Shortener icon located next to the content editor.
    6. Add Name of the Link & Target URL.
    7. Setup Tracking Details:
    8. Click on Generate and Insert Link button.
    9. Once inserted:
    10. Review your post, and then choose Publish or Schedule to send it out at a later time.
  3. In the post composer, select the social media accounts where you’d like to publish the post.
    Step 3 of 10: In the post composer, select the social media accounts where you’d… What this shows Step 3 of 10: In the post composer, select the social media accounts where you’d like to publish the post. What this shows Shows what to choose for step 3 of 10 in the "How to Use the Link Shortener in Social Planner" section of "Social Planner - Link Shortener". This screenshot accompanies step 3 of 10 in the "How to Use the Link Shortener in Social Planner" section of "Social Planner - Link Shortener". At this point in the walkthrough you in the post composer, select the social media accounts where you’d like to publish the post. The navigation path used here is Marketing > Social Planner. This part of the guide covers 2 fields, listed below. The next step is to in the Content input box, add your content. Step 3 of 10Path: Marketing > Social PlannerImage 3 of 9 What to chooseIn the post composer, select the social media accounts where you’d like to publish the post.
    Fields in this part of the guide Setup Tracking Details:Once inserted:
    Buttons and menus referenced post composerMarketing > Social PlannerNew Post > + Create New PostContentURL ShortenerName of the LinkTarget URLTrackingDetailsGenerate and Insert Linkpreview paneinput field
    Next stepIn the Content input box, add your content.
    All 10 steps in this procedure
    1. Navigate to Marketing > Social Planner from the left-hand menu.
    2. Click on + New Post > + Create New Post button.
    3. In the post composer, select the social media accounts where you’d like to publish the post. this image
    4. In the Content input box, add your content.
    5. Click the URL Shortener icon located next to the content editor.
    6. Add Name of the Link & Target URL.
    7. Setup Tracking Details:
    8. Click on Generate and Insert Link button.
    9. Once inserted:
    10. Review your post, and then choose Publish or Schedule to send it out at a later time.
  4. In the Content input box, add your content.
  5. Click the URL Shortener icon located next to the content editor.
    Step 5 of 10: Click the URL Shortener icon located next to the content editor What this shows Step 5 of 10: Click the URL Shortener icon located next to the content editor. What this shows Shows what to click for step 5 of 10 in the "How to Use the Link Shortener in Social Planner" section of "Social Planner - Link Shortener". This screenshot accompanies step 5 of 10 in the "How to Use the Link Shortener in Social Planner" section of "Social Planner - Link Shortener". At this point in the walkthrough you click the URL Shortener icon located next to the content editor. The navigation path used here is Marketing > Social Planner. This part of the guide covers 2 fields, listed below. The next step is to add Name of the Link & Target URL. Step 5 of 10Path: Marketing > Social PlannerImage 4 of 9 What to clickClick the URL Shortener icon located next to the content editor.
    Fields in this part of the guide Setup Tracking Details:Once inserted:
    Buttons and menus referenced URL ShortenerMarketing > Social PlannerNew Post > + Create New Postpost composerContentName of the LinkTarget URLTrackingDetailsGenerate and Insert Linkpreview paneinput field
    Next stepAdd Name of the Link & Target URL.
    All 10 steps in this procedure
    1. Navigate to Marketing > Social Planner from the left-hand menu.
    2. Click on + New Post > + Create New Post button.
    3. In the post composer, select the social media accounts where you’d like to publish the post.
    4. In the Content input box, add your content.
    5. Click the URL Shortener icon located next to the content editor. this image
    6. Add Name of the Link & Target URL.
    7. Setup Tracking Details:
    8. Click on Generate and Insert Link button.
    9. Once inserted:
    10. Review your post, and then choose Publish or Schedule to send it out at a later time.
  6. Add Name of the Link & Target URL.
  7. Setup Tracking Details:
    • UTM Campaign (utm_campaign) - select or create a campaign.
    • Add Custom UTM Parameters like source, campaign, etc.
  8. Click on Generate and Insert Link button.
    Step 8 of 10: Click on Generate and Insert Link button What this shows Step 8 of 10: Click on Generate and Insert Link button. What this shows Shows what to click for step 8 of 10 in the "How to Use the Link Shortener in Social Planner" section of "Social Planner - Link Shortener". This animation accompanies step 8 of 10 in the "How to Use the Link Shortener in Social Planner" section of "Social Planner - Link Shortener". At this point in the walkthrough you click on Generate and Insert Link button. The navigation path used here is Marketing > Social Planner. This part of the guide covers 2 fields, listed below. The next step is to once inserted. Step 8 of 10Path: Marketing > Social PlannerImage 5 of 9 What to clickClick on Generate and Insert Link button.
    Fields in this part of the guide Setup Tracking Details:Once inserted:
    Buttons and menus referenced Generate and Insert LinkMarketing > Social PlannerNew Post > + Create New Postpost composerContentURL ShortenerName of the LinkTarget URLTrackingDetailspreview paneinput field
    Next stepOnce inserted:
    All 10 steps in this procedure
    1. Navigate to Marketing > Social Planner from the left-hand menu.
    2. Click on + New Post > + Create New Post button.
    3. In the post composer, select the social media accounts where you’d like to publish the post.
    4. In the Content input box, add your content.
    5. Click the URL Shortener icon located next to the content editor.
    6. Add Name of the Link & Target URL.
    7. Setup Tracking Details:
    8. Click on Generate and Insert Link button. this image
    9. Once inserted:
    10. Review your post, and then choose Publish or Schedule to send it out at a later time.
  9. Once inserted: 

    • The preview pane will show a shortened version of the URL.
    • The input field will still display the original long URL.
  10. Review your post, and then choose Publish or Schedule to send it out at a later time.
    Step 10 of 10: Review your post, and then choose Publish or Schedule to send it out… What this shows Step 10 of 10: Review your post, and then choose Publish or Schedule to send it out at a later time. What this shows Shows what to choose for step 10 of 10 in the "How to Use the Link Shortener in Social Planner" section of "Social Planner - Link Shortener". This screenshot accompanies step 10 of 10 in the "How to Use the Link Shortener in Social Planner" section of "Social Planner - Link Shortener". At this point in the walkthrough you review your post, and then choose Publish or Schedule to send it out at a later time. The navigation path used here is Marketing > Social Planner. This part of the guide covers 2 fields, listed below. Step 10 of 10Path: Marketing > Social PlannerImage 6 of 9 What to chooseReview your post, and then choose Publish or Schedule to send it out at a later time.
    Fields in this part of the guide Setup Tracking Details:Once inserted:
    Buttons and menus referenced PublishScheduleMarketing > Social PlannerNew Post > + Create New Postpost composerContentURL ShortenerName of the LinkTarget URLTrackingDetailsGenerate and Insert Link
    All 10 steps in this procedure
    1. Navigate to Marketing > Social Planner from the left-hand menu.
    2. Click on + New Post > + Create New Post button.
    3. In the post composer, select the social media accounts where you’d like to publish the post.
    4. In the Content input box, add your content.
    5. Click the URL Shortener icon located next to the content editor.
    6. Add Name of the Link & Target URL.
    7. Setup Tracking Details:
    8. Click on Generate and Insert Link button.
    9. Once inserted:
    10. Review your post, and then choose Publish or Schedule to send it out at a later time. this image

Understand how the Link Shortener behaves and what features are planned for future release.

  • Content Input vs. Preview: The long URL will remain in the input box so you can always see the full link you’re sharing. However, the shortened version will appear in the preview and be used in the final post.
  • Click Tracking Is Coming: Analytics that show how many users clicked on your shortened links are currently in development and will be available in a future update.
  • Auto Conversion: You don’t need to manually replace the link—just click the shortener icon, and it does the rest for you.

Social Planner provides Link level performance analytics directly inside the Statistics page. This means that in addition to shortening links inside your posts, you can now track how those links perform after publishing.

The Link Shortener continues to shorten long URLs in your post preview and final published post. With URL Tracking, you can:

  • Shortened links and long URLs both appear in your performance analytics

  • Every link you publish becomes trackable automatically

  • You do not need to do anything extra for click tracking, it starts as soon as the post goes live

  • Campaign Names help you group multiple posts that share the same link

Note: Only the link created via Social Planner will be displayed in the statistics page.

Link Tracking in Social Planner Statistics (image 7 of 9) What this shows Note: Only the link created via Social Planner will be displayed in the statistics page. What this shows Illustrates the "Link Tracking in Social Planner Statistics" section of "Social Planner - Link Shortener". This screenshot appears in the "Link Tracking in Social Planner Statistics" section of "Social Planner - Link Shortener". The text alongside this image reads: Note: Only the link created via Social Planner will be displayed in the statistics page. Immediately after, the guide continues: Every URL you share through Social Planner is now measurable. You can track. Image 7 of 9 What this coversNote: Only the link created via Social Planner will be displayed in the statistics page. Next stepEvery URL you share through Social Planner is now measurable. You can track:

Every URL you share through Social Planner is now measurable. You can track:

  • Total clicks on each shortened or original URL

  • Platform-wise performance (Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, etc.)

  • Trends over time

Link Click Analytics (image 8 of 9) What this shows Total clicks on each shortened or original URL Platform-wise performance (Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, etc.) Trends over time What this shows Illustrates the "Link Click Analytics" section of "Social Planner - Link Shortener". This screenshot appears in the "Link Click Analytics" section of "Social Planner - Link Shortener". The text alongside this image reads: Total clicks on each shortened or original URL Platform-wise performance (Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, etc.) Trends over time. This part of the guide covers 2 fields, listed below. Immediately after, the guide continues: When composing a post, you can assign a Campaign Name to your link. All posts using that same link + campaign are grouped together in analytics, helping you compare and understand performance across posts and channels. Image 8 of 9 What this coversTotal clicks on each shortened or original URL Platform-wise performance (Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, etc.) Trends over time
Fields in this part of the guide Total clicks on each shortened or original URLTrends over time
Next stepWhen composing a post, you can assign a Campaign Name to your link. All posts using that same link + campaign are grouped together in analytics, helping you compare and understand performance across posts and channels.
Example values
Total clicks on each shortened or original URL
https://northgatedental.com

Illustrative values showing the expected format. They are not read from the screenshot.

All 3 steps in this procedure
  1. Total clicks on each shortened or original URL
  2. Platform-wise performance (Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, etc.)
  3. Trends over time

Campaign Tracking

When composing a post, you can assign a Campaign Name to your link. All posts using that same link + campaign are grouped together in analytics, helping you compare and understand performance across posts and channels.

Campaign Tracking (image 9 of 9) What this shows When composing a post, you can assign a Campaign Name to your link. What this shows Illustrates the "Campaign Tracking" section of "Social Planner - Link Shortener". This screenshot appears in the "Campaign Tracking" section of "Social Planner - Link Shortener". The text alongside this image reads: When composing a post, you can assign a Campaign Name to your link. All posts using that same link + campaign are grouped together in analytics, helping you compare and understand performance across posts and channels. Immediately after, the guide continues: Inside Marketing → Social Planner → Statistics → URL Tracking, you can now filter Top performing and low performing. Image 9 of 9 What this coversWhen composing a post, you can assign a Campaign Name to your link. All posts using that same link + campaign are grouped together in analytics, helping you compare and understand performance across posts and channels.
Buttons and menus referenced Campaign Name
Next stepInside Marketing → Social Planner → Statistics → URL Tracking, you can now filter Top performing and low performing.

Filters & Sorting

Inside Marketing → Social Planner → Statistics → URL Tracking, you can now filter Top performing and low performing.

Quick URL Preview

Selecting any URL will show a preview panel so you can see exactly which link you are analysing.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Will my social post show the long or short link?

The published post will display the shortened link. The long URL is only visible to you in the content editor.

Q: Why UTMs matter when using a shortener?

When you use a link shortener without UTMs:

  • Analytics might just show traffic as “direct” or generic “referral”

  • You can’t easily distinguish performance between:

    • Facebook ad vs. Facebook organic post

    • Email header link vs. footer link

    • One influencer vs. another

When you use a link shortener with UTMs:

  • You can:

    • Track campaigns properly in GA/other tools

    • Compare performance of different channels and creatives

    • Prove which specific link/placement is working

The shortener makes the long UTM-heavy URL look clean and clickable, but the UTM tags do the important reporting work.

Q: Can I customize or rename the short link?

Not yet. The short links are currently auto-generated and not editable.

Q: Does the Link Shortener work on all social platforms?

Yes, the shortened link will appear across all social platforms supported in Social Planner, including Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and more.

Q: Can I still use my own external link shorteners like Bitly?

Yes, you can manually add shortened links from third-party services if preferred.

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