What is URLCatch.com?

URLCatch.com (UC) is not a new idea. UC is a badly needed upgrade to the many URL shortening services on the market. We provide options such as multiple domains, custom urls, weekly email reports and "Not Safe For Work (NSFW)" or "Preview Before Redirect" capabilities.

We also provide an extensive API for developers, business URL shortening services and website integration for marketing and 404 redirecting. Our mission is to take this simple concept and make it extensible, reusable and fresh.

What makes URLCatch.com different?

UC started off many many years ago as a support service for another one of our products (since round filed). We needed an efficient way to distribute complex URLs without intimidating our users. After we extracted the code to make URLCatch a standalone product, we started adding features that were more "business" oriented than other shortners on the market. For example, we provide detailed usage reports with traffic and resource information, support for multiple domains, and even business services including 404Capture and custom url shortening. Since we allow our users to pick the path of a redirect, what happens if all the paths you try to use are taken? Just request a URLCatch.com custom domain (either use one of ours, or bring your own domain) that is private and for you only. The possibilities are endless! You can start creating redirects with your own domain (via 404Capture) or with something snazzy like myname.ll.io. It's private and you never have to worry about a path being taken!

How can I share a URL?

Easy - after creating a URL through our bookmarklet, website or API, all you need to do is copy that URL and paste it into whatever medium you want - email, IM, Twitter, or your blog!

What are some of the features of URLCatch.com?

• Ability to group and sort URLs by custom tags.
• Detailed traffic statitics. *
• Delete shortened URLs. *
• Change a shortened URLs destination. *
• Create custom sub-domains using UC TLDs (Top Level Domains). *
• Set preview page prefences (NSFW, third party linking). Text display on these pages are completely customizable.
• Weekly email reports on traffic usage for your shortened URLs.
• 404Capture - using our custom javascript, you can use UC to handle, track and process 404 redirects for your own website. *
• Integrate UC into your own projects and sites using the UC API. *
• Bookmarklet generator allowing you to set default domain and default tags for each bookmarklet you create.
• Quickly see the destination of a URL by hovering over the shortcut anywhere on the site.
• Create shortcuts via AOL Instant Messenger
• Post URLs to Twitter from the Web or IM.
• Use our AIM bot as a basic Twitter client. *
• Post Status updates to Facebook from the Web or IM. *

* requires a URLCatch.com account

How can I create a URLCatch.com URL?

Via the website

1. Head over to http://urlcatch.com (going to another website would be pointless, right?).
2. Paste the url you want shortened in the "url to shorten" box.
3. Select the domain you want the shortened URL to use.
4. You can select a path if you want, or leave it blank to have UC select the shortest random one it can find.
5. (Optional) All redirects are standard by default. If you'd like to display a NSFW (Not Safe For Work) graphic or a redirect disclaimer, you choose that from the "type" dropdown.
   • If you choose a type, the preview text will load with the default text provided by UC. You can change that text to say whatever you want.
6. Each week, UC sends emails on the usage statitics for the URLs it is hosting. if you'd like to get a copy of all the URLs you have shortened, include your email address in that box.
   • If you have a UC account, you can disable/enable this setting for the domains you create through the UC Dashboard.
7. Optional tags can help other users find a URL, or if you have a UC account can help sort URLs within your account. each tag should be seperated with a space.

Via the bookmarklet

1. Create a custom bookmarklet
   • Keep in mind, if you sign into your account you will see all domains you have access to and any URLs created with the bookmarklet will automatically be added to your account.
2. Drag the bookmarklet to your favorites bar or add to your favorites manually.
3. Whenever you are on a URL that you want to shorten, click on the bookmarklet.

Via AOL IM

1. See the 'How do I use UC with IM?' section

How can I track the usage of my shortened URL?

If you created the URL using your UC account, then clicking on the traffic icon next to your URL will display the traffic information. You can also click on the details icon to get a break down of browser, IP, referrer, and other related information.

If you did not use your UC account to create the URL, then point your browser to http://traffic.[shortenedurl] . For example, http://traffic.ll.io/s2 will show you the traffic information for that URL. Please note, this method does not work for any URLs created with your UC account (that information is considered "private").

How can I change my email preferences for a particular URL?

After signing into your UC account, locate the URL you want to modify. In the "Email" column, click the (included) or (excluded) option to toggle the notifications.

How can I delete a URLCatch.com URL?

After signing into your UC account, locate the URL you want to delete and click the delete icon. If you did not create the URL with a valid UC account, then you cannot use this feature.

How can update the tags for a URLCatch.com URL?

After singing into your UC account, locate the URL you want to update and click on the edit icon. Tags can be updated using the panel on the right and clicking on the Update button. Please remember, tags should be seperated with a space. If you did not create the URL with a valid UC account, then you cannot use this feature.

How can I request a domain be used with URLCatch.com?

To create a custom sub of a URLCatch.com domain (example: ll.io, urlcat.ch, urlc.at, twtlink.com):

1. Sign into your UC account
2. Click on the "Request New Domain"
3. Base Domain: http://urlcatch.com
   Home URL: [sub_requested].[tld] (example: testing.ll.io)
4. Click the "Add Domain" button. After your domain is approved, it will show up anywhere the domain selection box is presented (home page, bookmarklets, etc)

To point a domain or sub-domain to URLCatch.com

1. Sign into your UC account
2. Click on the "Request New Domain"
3. Base Domain: http://[url_of_your_choice] (example: http://www.exsom.com or wherever you want traffic to be redirected if a redirect fails)
   Home URL: [domain_to_use_for_urlcatch] (example: http://links.exsom.com)
4. Click the "Add Domain" button. After your domain is approved, it will show up anywhere the domain selection box is presented (home page, bookmarklets, etc)
5. You will then need to update the DNS for the domain you want to use to point to relay.urlcatch.com. (example: CNAME RECORD links.exsom.com relay.urlcatch.com)

To point a domain or sub-domain to URLCatch.com using the 404Capture service

1. Sign into your UC account
2. Click on the "Request New Domain"
3. Base Domain: http://[url_of_your_choice] (example: http://www.exsom.com or wherever you want traffic to be redirected if a redirect fails)
   Home URL: [domain_to_use_for_urlcatch] (example: http://links.exsom.com)
4. Click the "Add Domain" button. After your domain is approved, it will show up anywhere the domain selection box is presented (home page, bookmarklets, etc)
5. No DNS changes are required for 404Capture. You can either use the UC API to manage requests, or, you can simply add the following javascript to your 404 error page:

       <script language="javascript" src="http://urlcatch.com/api/404.js"></script>
       

How do I use UC with IM?

The short version: IM the URL you want to shorten to 'urlcatch' on AOL IM. However, we do provide many additional options:

[url] @tags [tags] @domain [domain] @twitter @facebook

First, send the URLs you want shortened to the AIM bot (keep in mind, urls are seperated by space. If you have spaces in your URL, convert them to %20 to ensure it is processed correctly). After that, you can insert a @tag followed by the tags you want to add or @domain to specify a different domain beside the default (ll.io)

If you'd like to post the result to Twitter (you must map your Twitter credentials to your UC account. See "Do you save my Twitter credentials?"), simply add the @twitter flag and the URLs will be converted within the text of the IM and sent to Twitter. We will automatically split an IM that exceeds 140 characters into two Twitter posts for you automatically. Anything over 280 characters will be rejected, but you will recieve the shortcut URLs the system created.

For example:

• http://www.exsom.com/services @tags developers urlcatch awesomeness
• http://www.exsom.com/services @tags developers urlcatch @domain urlc.at
• @exsom Check out http://www.exsom.com/services for our service list! @twitter @tags exsom
• Posting status updates to Twitter and Facebook at the same time! @facebook @twitter @tags exsom TwitterAndFacebook
• This is a sample post using URLCatch.com as a Twitter IM client! @twitter
• This is a sample post using URLCatch.com as a Facebook client! @facebook

Please note: It may take a few seconds for the AIM bot to respond. Also, if you post multiple URLs, the attributes (tags and domain) will be applied to everything within that IM post.

How do I map my IM account to my URLCatch.com account?

Mapping your IM account provides additional tracking features and the ability to shorten urls using your custom domains. Any URL created without being mapped to a UC account is identified with "(Orphaned URL)" when the result is returned. To link your AIM account to your UC profile:

1. Go to your UC "Dashboard".
2. From the quick nav, select "My Profile".
3. In the "AOL IM" box, enter your AIM screen name.
4. Click the "Update" button.
5. After the page reloads, you will have an "AIM Validation Code" in your profile settings. Copy that code to your clipboard and send it to our AIM bot at "urlcatch".
6. Once the bot confirms your registration, any URLs you create from that AIM account will be mapped to your UC profile.

How do I remove/reconnect my IM account?

1. Go to your UC "Dashboard".
2. From the quick nav, select "My Profile".
3. Next to the box containing your AIM screen name, click the delete icon.
4. Confirm the delete.
5. At this point, you can reconnect another AIM account to your UC profile.

How can I update my profile?

Updating your profile allows you to create a new API code, change your name or password, and map your IM accounts. Please note, email addresses at this time cannot be updated.

1. Go to your UC "Dashboard".
2. From the quick nav, select "My Profile".
3. Make any necessary updates.
   • If you want a new API code, click on the delete icon next to your existing API code. Please note, this will cause any bookmarklets or apps you have using it to no longer work.
4. Click "Update".

How can I post URLs to Twitter?

After you create a URL, you can click on the twitter icon below your shortcut URL to launch the twitter page. You can also click on the "Post To Twitter" link under "URLCatch Tools" on the right side of "My Dashboard".

You can also post URLs from an instant message to twitter by adding the @twitter flag to your IM. More information can be found under How do I use UC with IM?

Do you save my Twitter credentials?

Note: We are working on implementing Twitter's OAuth token based system. Stay tuned!

Not unless you want us to. If you'd like for us to save your twitter credentials, update your UC profile by completeing the following:

1. Go to your UC "Dashboard".
2. From the quick nav, select "My Profile".
3. In the "Twitter" boxes, enter your username and password.
4. Click "Update".

How do I remove/reconnect my Twitter account?

1. Go to your UC "Dashboard".
2. From the quick nav, select "My Profile".
3. Next to the box containing your Twitter Account, click the delete icon.
4. Confirm the delete.
5. At this point, you can reconnect another Twitter account to your UC profile.

What if I want to post to another Twitter account beside the one in my profile?

On the "Post to Twitter" page, click the link at the bottom that says "Want use another Twitter account?". NOTE: This will not replace the account saved in your UC profile.

How can I post URLs to Facebook?

After you create a URL, you can click on the Facebook icon below your shortcut URL to launch the Facebook page. You can also click on the "Post To Facebook" link under "URLCatch Tools" on the right side of "My Dashboard".

You can also post URLs from an instant message to Facebook by adding the @facebook flag to your IM. More information can be found under How do I use UC with IM?

How do I connect my Facebook account?

Mapping your facebook account allows you to update your facebook status from the UC website or through the UC AIM bot. When linking your Facebook account, your account credentials ARE NOT stored with us. Instead, Facebook gives us a token to post on your behalf that you can revoke directly from Facebook or remove from your UC account at any time. To connect your Facebook account:

1. Go to your UC "Dashboard".
2. From the quick nav, select "My Profile".
3. Next to the Facebook block, click on the "Clink to link" message.
4. At this point, you will be sent to Facebook's application authentication. Follow the onscreen instructions.
5. After authentication has been completed, you will see the message "Connected" next to the Facebook block.

How do I connect / disconnect my Facebook account?

1. Go to your UC "Dashboard".
2. From the quick nav, select "My Profile".
3. Next to the Facebook message saying "Connected!", click the delete icon.
4. Confirm the delete.
5. At this point, you can reconnect another Facebook account to your UC profile.