Advanced Features
How to Import Short Links from a CSV File
Creating short links one at a time is slow when you have hundreds to add. URL Shortify's CSV import lets you upload a single spreadsheet and create every link in one pass — including custom slugs, target URLs, groups, tags and per-link flags. You run it from URL Shortify → Tools → Import, and it's part of the free plugin.
What is CSV import?
CSV import is a free tool that reads a comma-separated file and creates one short link per row. It's the right choice when you're bringing links in from a spreadsheet, a hosted shortener, or any system that isn't a supported WordPress plugin — you shape the data into columns URL Shortify understands and upload it once.
How to import a CSV file
- Go to URL Shortify → Tools. The Import tab is selected by default.
- In the import list, find Import CSV and click its Import button.
- Under Select CSV file to import, choose your
.csvfile. - Click Import CSV.
URL Shortify reads the file, creates a short link for each valid row, and shows a completion notice. Your new links then appear under URL Shortify → Links.
Expected CSV columns
Your file needs a header row with the following columns, in this order. The simplest way to get the exact layout is to download the sample file from the import screen — click Check CSV structure and then from here to download sample.csv, then replace its rows with your own.
| Column | What it holds | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Slug | The custom short-link slug (the part after your domain) | Leave blank to auto-generate |
| Target URL | The destination the link redirects to | Required; must be a full URL |
| Title | A human-readable name for the link | Optional |
| Description | Internal notes for the link | Optional |
| Groups | One or more groups to assign the link to | Separate multiple values with | |
| Tags | One or more tags | Separate multiple values with | |
| Nofollow | Whether to add rel="nofollow" |
1 = on, 0 = off |
| Sponsored | Whether to add rel="sponsored" |
1 = on, 0 = off |
| Parameter Forwarding | Whether to forward query parameters to the target | 1 = on, 0 = off |
| Track | Whether to record clicks for the link | 1 = on, 0 = off |
A sample row looks like this:
Slug, Target URL, Title, Description, Groups, Tags, Nofollow, Sponsored, Parameter Forwarding, Track
kzdr,https://kaizencoders.com,KaizenCoders,Continuous Improvement,Sports|Culture,SEO|Marketing,1,1,1,1
Groups and tags that don't exist yet are created during the import. If a slug in your file already exists in URL Shortify, that row is skipped so your existing link is not overwritten.
Moving links between WordPress sites
You can export a CSV from one WordPress install and import it into another to transfer links between sites. If you need to move click history and plugin settings as well — not just the links themselves — use the PRO Export & Import migration tool instead, which packages everything into a single file.
Conclusion
CSV import is the fastest way to create many short links from data you already have in a spreadsheet. Match your columns to the sample file, upload once, and every valid row becomes a short link. If you're switching from another link plugin, check whether one-click import can read it directly before you build a CSV by hand.
FAQs
Where is the CSV import tool in URL Shortify?
Go to URL Shortify → Tools. The Import tab is selected by default. Find Import CSV in the list, click its Import button, choose your file, and click Import CSV. The tool is included in the free version of URL Shortify, so you don't need a PRO licence to use it.
What columns does the URL Shortify CSV need?
The header row must contain Slug, Target URL, Title, Description, Groups, Tags, Nofollow, Sponsored, Parameter Forwarding and Track, in that order. Target URL is required; the rest are optional. Download the sample file from the import screen (Check CSV structure → from here) to get the exact layout.
How do I add a link to more than one group or tag?
In the Groups and Tags columns, separate multiple values with a pipe character (|) — for example Sports|Culture|Politics. Any group or tag that doesn't already exist is created automatically during the import and assigned to the link.
What happens if a slug already exists?
Rows whose slug already exists in URL Shortify are skipped, and your existing link is left unchanged. This means you can re-run an import safely without creating duplicates — only genuinely new slugs are added.
Can I move my short links to another WordPress site with CSV?
Yes. Export a CSV on one site and import it on another to transfer the links. CSV moves link definitions only. To carry click history and plugin settings across as well, use the PRO Export & Import migration tool.