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/ Linker – URL shortener & track outbound link clicks

Linker – URL shortener & track outbound link clicks

By Elementor

Site Administration & Utilities / URL Redirects & 301 Management

Reviewed by Omar Dabbas

Trusted WordPress expert with 20+ years of experience evaluating plugins for the WP ecosystem.

Linker – URL shortener & track outbound link clicks Review - In-Depth Analysis

Easily shorten and track outbound links using your own domain. Manage redirects and gain insights on link clicks effortlessly.

Performance Overview

WPS Score

6.77/10

User Rating

4.3/5 (based on 14+ reviews)

Active Installations

2,000+

Update Frequency

Below Average It is calculated using the weighted average of same category plugins.

Security Score

5 / 10 (Medium Risk) It is calculated using the weighted average of all versions.

What It Does

Manage, create and track outbound links by custom pretty links with your domain.

Through Linker's short url tool you can know on which links your visitors are clicking. Linker is the easiest tool to use in order to create a short link in your own domain and track outbound link clicks from your website, using software like Google Analytics. Create short links to your post, manage your 301 redirects, track affiliate links and do many other URL related tasks easily.

Linker adds a new custom post type to your Admin menu, where you can create, edit, delete, and manage Links by 301 redirects. What’s great about Linker is that it tracks click counts and saves them as a custom field. It’s really simple and cool and there is no setup involved. It works seamlessly straight out of the box for whichever theme and plugins you are using.

Comparing to Alternatives

Linker offers URL shortening and outbound link click tracking with some competition in the WordPress plugin space. Here are some notable alternatives to consider.

Top alternatives

Strengths

Simple and straightforward URL shortening functionality
Tracks outbound link clicks effectively for most users
High user satisfaction with majority 5-star ratings
No pro version, making it fully free to use
Regular updates addressing security issues

Weaknesses

Known medium severity stored XSS vulnerability fixed only in recent update
Issues with tracking clicks on downloadable PDFs reported
Problems when using duplicate slugs in posts
Lack of front-end display or widgets causing confusion for some users

User Sentiment Analysis

With a strong majority of 5-star reviews and a few low ratings, users generally appreciate Linker's core features but some report functional and usability issues.

Positive highlights

'Great' and 'Thanks' comments highlight user satisfaction (Subhan Ashraf)
'I’ve been looking for this all my life' shows strong endorsement (rabota1com1ru)
'Thanks for the feedback' indicates responsive development (Ben Pines)

Common complaints

Doesn't track clicks on downloadable PDFs as expected
No visible output on the front end, causing confusion

Weaknesses

Issues with slug duplication causing malfunction
Lack of user interface elements like widgets or samples
Previous security vulnerability with stored XSS

Who Should Use This?

Best for

Users seeking a free, simple URL shortener with outbound click tracking and who are comfortable with minimal front-end features.

Not ideal for

Those needing robust front-end display options, reliable tracking on downloadable files, or requiring plugins with no history of security vulnerabilities.

Pricing & Value

Free version includes

The free version includes full URL shortening and outbound link click tracking functionality without limitations.

Final Verdict

Linker is a solid free URL shortener plugin with effective outbound link tracking and a high user satisfaction rate. It stands out for its simplicity and no-cost offering, making it a good choice for users who need basic functionality without extra frills.

However, users should be aware of past security vulnerabilities and some functional limitations, such as issues with downloadable PDF tracking and lack of front-end display options. Considering available alternatives might be worthwhile for those needing more advanced features or stronger security assurances.