Blog/Tutorial

How to Create a Tracking Link for Free

A tracking link is a URL that records every click with detailed analytics. In this guide, you will learn how to create a tracking link in three simple steps, add UTM parameters, use a custom domain, and start collecting data -- all for free.

Published January 1, 2026 -- Updated March 9, 2026

What is a tracking link?

A tracking link is a special URL that redirects visitors to your destination page while logging data about each click. When someone clicks a tracking link, the click is recorded with information like the visitor's location, device, browser, and any UTM parameters you have added.

Unlike a regular URL, a tracking link gives you visibility into who is clicking, when, and from where. This is essential for measuring the performance of marketing campaigns, social media posts, email newsletters, and any other channel where you share links. Learn more about what link tracking is and how it works.

Regular link vs tracking link

Regular link:

https://yoursite.com/product

No analytics. You do not know who clicked or where they came from.

Tracking link:

gettrack.link/product-launch

Every click is logged with location, device, referrer, and UTM data.

How to create a tracking link in 3 steps

Creating a tracking link with Track Link or any tracking link generator takes less than a minute. Here is how:

1

Sign up for a free account

Go to Track Link and create your free account with Google. No credit card required. The free plan includes 10 tracked links, 2,500 clicks per month, and 1 custom domain -- more than enough to get started.

2

Paste your destination URL

From your dashboard, click "Create Link" and paste the URL you want to track. This is the page visitors will land on after clicking. Choose a custom slug like /spring-sale or let Track Link generate one automatically.

3

Share your tracking link

Copy your new tracking link and share it anywhere: social media, email campaigns, paid ads, or text messages. You can also generate a QR code directly from your dashboard — no third-party tools needed. Every click and scan is automatically recorded with real-time analytics.

Adding UTM parameters to your tracking link

UTM parameters let you tag your tracking links with campaign information so you know exactly where each click came from. Track Link captures UTM parameters automatically when visitors click your links. Read our full UTM tracking guide for detailed naming conventions.

You can build them by hand or use our UTM builder tool to assemble them in seconds. Here is an example of a tracking link with UTM parameters:

gettrack.link/spring-sale?utm_source=instagram&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=spring_2026

When someone clicks this link, Track Link records the click and stores the UTM values. In your dashboard, you can filter analytics by source, medium, and campaign to compare performance across channels.

Using a custom domain for tracking links

By default, your tracking links use the gettrack.link domain. But for professional use, you can connect your own domain. Instead of gettrack.link/sale, your links become go.yourbrand.com/sale.

  • Branded links get higher click-through rates because they look trustworthy
  • Add a CNAME record pointing to cname.gettrack.link and Track Link handles SSL automatically
  • The free plan includes 1 custom domain, so you can start with branded links from day one
  • Works with any DNS provider: Cloudflare, Namecheap, GoDaddy, Route 53, and more

What data do tracking links capture?

Every click on your tracking link is recorded with detailed metadata. Here is what you see in your click tracking dashboard:

Click counts

Total and unique clicks over time. See trends by day, week, or month to understand engagement patterns.

Geographic location

Country, region, and city of each visitor. Know where your audience is and tailor your messaging.

Device and browser

Desktop vs mobile, Chrome vs Safari, Windows vs Mac. Optimize your landing pages for your actual audience.

UTM parameters

Source, medium, campaign, term, and content values. Filter and compare campaigns in real time.

Free tracking link generator vs paid tools

Many link tracking tools charge $30 or more per month for basic features. Track Link offers a generous free plan that includes everything you need to get started:

Free plan includes

  • 10 tracked links
  • 2,500 clicks per month
  • 1 custom domain
  • Full analytics: clicks, geography, devices, browsers, UTM tracking
  • Conversion tracking
  • No watermarks or branding on your links

Unlike other free tools that limit analytics or force you to upgrade for basic features, Track Link gives you complete click data on the free plan. See how we compare to alternatives in our Track Link vs Bitly comparison and our best free link trackers roundup.

Need more links or higher click limits? The Pro plan scales with your needs. Check pricing for details.

Related guides and tools

Create your first tracking link for free

Sign up in seconds and create a tracking link with full analytics. See clicks, locations, devices, and conversions -- no credit card required.

Create a tracking link