Advanced Features
Retargeting with Tracking Pixels
Attach a retargeting pixel to a short link and it fires when someone clicks, before they continue to the destination. Anyone who clicks your link joins your advertising audience — even when the destination is a site you don't own.
PRO Feature
Tracking pixels are available in URL Shortify PRO.
Why attach a pixel to a link
Advertising platforms build audiences from people who visit pages carrying your pixel. That works fine on your own site, but not for traffic you send elsewhere — an affiliate offer, a partner's landing page, a PDF, a YouTube video.
A short link with a pixel closes that gap. The click passes through your own domain, the pixel fires there, and the visitor lands where you sent them. You can then retarget everyone who clicked.
Typical uses:
- Retarget people who clicked an affiliate link, even though the sale happens on the merchant's site.
- Build an audience from a link shared in a newsletter or a social post.
- Track offline campaigns that use a QR code pointing at a short link.
Supported platforms
| Platform |
|---|
| Facebook (Meta) |
| Google Ads |
| Google Tag Manager |
| Bing |
| X (Twitter) |
| TikTok |
| Quora |
| AdRoll |
| Nexus / Segment |
Add a pixel
- Go to URL Shortify → Tracking Pixels.
- Click Add New.
- Choose the platform.
- Paste the pixel ID given to you by that platform.
- Give it a name you'll recognise later, then save.
You only need to do this once per pixel. The same pixel can then be attached to as many links as you like.
Where to find your pixel ID
Each platform words it differently — Meta calls it a Pixel ID, Google Ads a Conversion ID, LinkedIn a Partner ID. You want the identifier, not the full JavaScript snippet. URL Shortify builds the snippet for you.
Attach a pixel to a short link
- Edit the link under URL Shortify → Links.
- Set Redirection to Pixel.
- Select one or more pixels from the Tracking Pixels field.
- Save the link.
You can attach several pixels to the same link — all of them fire on the same click.
What the visitor experiences
Instead of an instant redirect, the short link returns a small page that loads your pixels and then forwards the visitor on. It happens in a fraction of a second and there's nothing to interact with.
- The page is served with a 200 OK rather than a redirect status, because the pixel scripts need to run.
- If a link is set to Pixel but has no pixels selected, it falls back to a normal redirect, so the link never breaks.
- Clicks are recorded exactly as they are for any other link.
Things to know
- Consent and privacy law. Pixels set cookies and send data to advertising platforms. Depending on where your visitors are, GDPR, ePrivacy or similar rules may require consent before firing them. URL Shortify does not manage consent for you — pair it with your consent tool if that applies to your audience.
- Test with the platform's own debugger. Meta's Pixel Helper, Google Tag Assistant and the equivalents will confirm the pixel fired on the redirect.
- Pixels need JavaScript. A visitor with JavaScript disabled still reaches the destination, but no pixel fires.
- Audiences take time to build. Most platforms need a minimum audience size before you can target it.
FAQ
Can I use a tracking pixel on a link that points to someone else's website?
Yes — that's the main reason to use one. The pixel fires on your own domain as the click passes through, so you build the audience even though the destination is a site you don't control.
How many pixels can I attach to one short link?
As many as you need. Every pixel selected on the link fires on the same click.
Does adding a pixel slow the link down?
Slightly. The visitor loads a small intermediate page rather than being redirected immediately, which usually adds a fraction of a second.
Do tracking pixels work with QR codes?
Yes. A QR code points at a short link, so a scan behaves exactly like a click and fires the attached pixels.
Will a pixel work if the visitor blocks JavaScript or uses an ad blocker?
No. The pixel is a script, so a blocker stops it firing. The visitor still reaches the destination — only the tracking is lost.
Do I still need my pixel installed on my own website?
Yes. Link pixels cover traffic passing through your short links. Your site's own pages still need the platform's standard installation.
Troubleshooting
The pixel isn't firing. Check that the link's Redirection is set to Pixel and that at least one pixel is selected on the link. If both are correct, verify the pixel ID with the platform's debugging extension.
The link redirects instantly and skips the pixel. That's the fallback behaviour when no pixel is selected on the link. Edit the link and choose one.
My ad platform shows no audience growth. Most platforms need a minimum number of people before an audience becomes usable, and can take a day or more to populate.