How to create a branded shortened link for SMS

You will learn

Learn how to add your brand name to shortened links in your Klaviyo SMS messages. Branding your shortened links makes them more personalized to your brand and credible, indicating to recipients that this link will take them to your website or page.

Before you begin

There are 2 options for branding your shortened links:

• A branded Klaviyo link, which is like a custom prefix for SMS shortened links.
• A branded custom link, which is a fully customizable shortened link. 

As an example, here’s what the beginning of your link may look like for a company called “James Black.”

For more information about the different short link options, see understanding the difference in SMS shortened links.

Branded Klaviyo link 

Include your organization name in the link to allow for a more streamlined experience between the SMS message and your website. 

Your branded Klaviyo link must:

• Be 25 characters or less.
• Contain only letters or numbers (no special characters).
• Be unique (you cannot have the same subdomain as someone else).
• Not include any inappropriate words. 

Note that when you create, edit, change, or remove any branded Klaviyo link, all previous links will continue to work as expected. 

Create a branded Klaviyo link

Create your unique branded Klaviyo link by following these steps. 

1. Click your account name in the bottom left corner.
2. Go to Settings > SMS > Short links. 
3. Next to Branded Klaviyo link, click Add.
   • Branded Klaviyo links are only available to those on paid SMS plans. If you are not on a paid plan, you will first see prompts to upgrade.
     
4. On the right side under Subdomain, input what you want as your brand name in your shortened links (e.g., jamesblack).
   • Your subdomain must follow the requirements listed above.
     Note: You cannot edit the Root domain.
     
5. Review the full shortened link in the Preview. 
6. Click Save. 

After you save, you’ll see the branded Klaviyo link in the SMS Short links page, along with the status.

Edit a branded Klaviyo link

Before editing a branded Klaviyo link, know that once you change the prefix, it may not be available again. Editing the subdomain effectively releases it, allowing other companies the chance to use it. 

To edit your branded Klaviyo link, follow these steps: 

1. Navigate to Settings > SMS > Short links.
2. Click the 3 vertical dots in the Branded Klaviyo link box.
3. Click Edit. 
   
4. Change your branding under Subdomain.
   • Note: you cannot change the Root domain of a branded Klaviyo link. 
5. Click Save. 

Delete a branded Klaviyo link

Deleting a branded Klaviyo link means that your shortened links no longer contain a branded prefix, removing it from shortened links in your account and allowing other companies to potentially use it.

To remove your branded Klaviyo link, follow these steps: 

1. Navigate to Settings > SMS > Short links.
2. Click the 3 vertical dots in the Branded Klaviyo link box.
3. Click Remove. 
   
4. Select Remove link to confirm that you want to delete the branded Klaviyo link from your account.
   

Branded custom links

Branded custom links don’t show any part of the default Klaviyo URL (e.g., klv.io). Instead, you can tailor to your organization or to your SMS program specifically. 

Unlike with Klaviyo branded links, branded custom links are approved on a case-by-case basis. This process takes up to 14 days to complete. 

Branded custom links must: 

• Be unique (you cannot have the same link as someone else). 
• Clearly represent your brand. 

The most important thing is that customers know that the link represents your brand. However, we recommend doing this in the least amount of character possible: the shorter your branded custom link is, the fewer characters it will use in your SMS messages. 

Request a branded custom link

To request a branded custom link: 

1. Click your account name in the bottom left corner.
2. Go to Settings > SMS > Short links.
3. Next to Branded custom link, select Request. This will open a Google Form.
   
4. Fill out the Google form, including your website URL, domain you want, and CNAME records from your DNS provider. 
5. Wait 2–3 weeks for the branded custom link to be reviewed.
   • If approved, you’ll see your branded link listed in the SMS Short links page. 
   • If not approved, you’ll be contacted to provide additional information.
     

Delete a branded custom link

Note that once you remove this link, it is released and you may not be able to request that same URL. 

Your future SMS shortened links will appear as a branded Klaviyo link (if one is available) or the standard Klaviyo URL.

Additional resources

• Understanding the difference in SMS shortened links
• How to increase SMS click rates