What is yLink?
yLink is a simple link shortener, you can use to create short links and send them directly to Instagram, Facebook and other social media platforms, or by a message in Messenger, Whatsapp, or Telegram.
Optionally make links private by encrypting them. They will be only accessible by knowing the passphrase.
Further we are a privacy aware service. We do not track users, nor do we keep any logs. Creating in links is totally anonymous.
What are short(ened) links?
Short links are simply links which forward to other, longer links. I.g. the link https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/URL_shortening#History can be saved as ylink.at/wCELt.
Why am I not forwarded immediatly?
Short links always contain security risks by obscuring the link target. Therefore it was important for us to show the link target before any forwarding is done, and to give the user the option to stop the forwarding.
How does the encryption work?
We use AES encryption, and the key length is chosen according to the passphrase. En- and decryption happens on the client, and we have no knowledge of the link target.
The user needs to know the passphrase to decipher the link target, if the link uses the optional encryption.
Can you help me to retrieve my link target? I forgot the password.
I am sorry, that is not possible.
How long does my link persist?
This site is currently limited by the free tiers of Vercel and PlanetScale. Once the free contingent for the month is depleted this site will stop working for the remainder of the month.
We do not give any assurances regarding link persistency and availablity. Do not use yLink for links which should be persistent and constantly available.
Why another short link service?
This service was written in two days, and was just an exercise to do something with a new technology stack.
It is in no way meant as competition to the big players in the field, like Bitly or TinyURL.
I need link insights and statistics!
Link insights are measured statistics like click counts or user region. If you need this, this is not the service for you. There are plenty of alternatives around offering this services on a subscription base.
Do you track users?
This site uses Google Analytics if cookies are acknowledged, for purely statistical purposes. If not, the only set cookie is to save the declined cookie consent.
We do not track users, nor do we keep any records.
I need feature X!
Currently there are no plans to extend this service.
How can I report links to illegal content?
Send me the link at admin@ylink.at and I'll remove it.

Imprint

Markus Toepfer
admin@ylink.at
9020 Klagenfurt,
Austria

Disclaimer

By using this site you acknowledge that we do not have any control over the linked content and resources, and do not take any responsibility for any loss, damage, liability, cost, or expense of any kind that may incur arising out of or related to any products or services purchased by you in connection with ylink. You are solely responsible for your own interactions with others as a result of using ylink.

YOU UNDERSTAND THAT YOUR USE OF YLINK (INCLUDING ANY DOWNLOADS OR ANY LOSS OF DATA OR OTHER DAMAGE TO YOUR COMPUTER SYSTEM YOU EXPERIENCE FROM USING YLINK) IS AT YOUR SOLE RISK.