A custom alias is the readable part of an Azaz short link that can help make the URL easier to recognize, remember, and share.
Choosing a clear custom alias can make your short link more useful for websites, social media, messages, QR codes, printed materials, and campaigns.
What does a custom alias look like?
Instead of using an automatically generated short URL, you may be able to choose an available alias that describes the destination or purpose of the link.
For example:
https://azaz.click/summer-sale
or:
https://azaz.click/menu
These examples are illustrative. The alias you choose must be available and accepted by Azaz when you create or customize the link.
Keep your alias short
One of the main benefits of a short link is that it is easy to share.
Try to use an alias that is long enough to be understandable but short enough to type and remember easily.
For example:
azaz.click/menu
is easier to remember than something unnecessarily long such as:
azaz.click/view-our-complete-restaurant-menu-here
Make the alias meaningful
A useful alias should give visitors a reasonable idea of what the link is associated with.
Examples could include:
menufor a restaurant menucontactfor a contact pageportfoliofor a portfolioeventfor an event pagesummer-salefor a seasonal campaign
Choose wording that makes sense for your actual destination.
Use simple words
Simple aliases are generally easier to type, remember, and communicate.
Avoid making an alias unnecessarily complicated with long sequences of characters, confusing abbreviations, or excessive punctuation.
Avoid easy-to-confuse characters
If people will type your short URL manually, consider avoiding combinations that are easy to misread.
For example, some letters and numbers can look similar depending on the font or device being used.
A recognizable word or short phrase can reduce typing mistakes.
Use a consistent naming style
If you create many campaign links, using a consistent naming system can make them easier to manage.
For example:
summer-emailsummer-instagramsummer-qr
This can make it easier to recognize links later from My Links.
Choose an alias that matches the destination
Avoid choosing an alias that creates a misleading impression about where the visitor will be sent.
For example, an alias suggesting that a link opens a support page should not intentionally send visitors to an unrelated or deceptive destination.
Clear aliases help visitors understand what they are opening.
Avoid misleading brand names
Do not use an alias to impersonate another person, organization, website, or service or to mislead visitors about the destination.
Custom aliases must be used in accordance with the Azaz Terms of Service.
Do not put sensitive information in an alias
Remember that a short URL can be visible to anyone who receives or sees it.
Do not place sensitive information in an alias, such as:
- Passwords
- API keys
- Authentication tokens
- Private account information
- Confidential information
Treat the alias as public information.
Choose aliases carefully for printed materials
If you plan to print a short URL on a business card, poster, flyer, package, or other physical material, choose an alias that is especially easy to read and type.
Printed URLs can remain in circulation for a long time, so review the alias and destination carefully before printing large quantities.
Custom aliases work well with QR codes
You can also use a short link with an Azaz QR Code.
Even when visitors scan the QR code instead of typing the URL, a clear short link can be useful when the URL is also printed below or beside the code.
Use different aliases for different campaigns
If you are promoting the same destination through several campaigns, separate short links can make organization easier.
For example:
launch-emaillaunch-sociallaunch-poster
You can then manage the individual links through My Links and review available activity through Azaz Statistics.
Can I use spaces in an alias?
URLs cannot contain ordinary spaces in the same way normal text does.
If you want to separate words, a short hyphenated alias such as summer-sale is usually easier to read than combining many words into a long string.
The exact alias must still be accepted by Azaz when the link is created.
Why might the alias I want be unavailable?
Custom aliases need to be unique where required by the short-link system.
If another link already uses the alias you want, or the value cannot be used, you may need to choose another variation.
For example, instead of:
menu
you might choose a meaningful alternative such as:
restaurant-menu
Avoid adding random characters unless they are necessary, especially when readability is important.
Should I frequently change my alias?
Choose an alias carefully before sharing it widely.
Once a short URL has been published on websites, social media, printed materials, QR codes, or messages, changing how that link is configured can affect how people reach your content.
Before making changes to an existing link, consider everywhere the original short URL has already been distributed.
Test your short link before sharing it
After creating a custom link, open it yourself and confirm that it redirects to the intended destination.
Check that:
- The alias is spelled correctly.
- The destination URL is correct.
- The destination loads properly.
- There are no unexpected redirects.
- The link works on both mobile and desktop when relevant.
Check your links regularly
You can manage your existing links from My Links.
It is a good idea to periodically confirm that important destinations are still available and that your links continue to lead where you expect.
What if my preferred alias is unavailable?
Choose another short, descriptive variation rather than trying to imitate or mislead visitors.
If you believe there is a technical problem with creating an otherwise valid alias, visit the Contact page.
Use custom aliases responsibly
Custom aliases must not be used for phishing, scams, impersonation, malware, deceptive redirects, or other prohibited activities.
Review the Azaz Terms of Service before publishing your links.
If you encounter a suspicious or harmful Azaz link, submit it through the Report page.
Privacy
For information about how Azaz handles information, review the Azaz Privacy Policy.
Need help?
If you have a problem creating or managing a custom alias, visit the Contact page and provide the relevant short URL or the alias you are trying to use.
Never send your password, API keys, authentication tokens, or other private credentials.