How short links work
A short link points to a redirect service that looks up the full address and sends the browser there with an HTTP redirect. The redirect is typically a 301 (permanent) or 302 (temporary) response, and it happens in a fraction of a second. The person scanning usually sees only the final page.
Why they matter for QR codes
Fewer characters mean fewer modules, so a QR code with a short link can use a lower version and larger modules at the same printed size. That makes it easier to scan from a distance or print small. A long URL with tracking parameters can easily double the density of a code.
Short links are also what makes a dynamic QR code possible. Because the code only holds the short link, the owner can change where it forwards and count each scan on the server.
Risks and good practice
A short link hides its destination, which is why scammers use them and why careful users hesitate to open unknown ones. It also adds a dependency: if the shortening service shuts down, every printed link that uses it can break. Using a recognizable domain, ideally one you control, addresses both problems.
- Prefer a branded or recognizable domain over a generic one
- Keep a list of every short link that has been printed
- Test the redirect before printing and after any change