Set up a vanity URL

A vanity URL is a shortened web address that's customized for your brand. Vanity URLs are easy to remember and using them in your social posts is a great way to boost brand awareness. Just like Ow‌.ly links, you can still track click-through metrics in Hootsuite. You need to buy a vanity URL from an accredited domain name registrar before you can use it in Hootsuite.

Plans: Team plans can add one vanity URL to Hootsuite, Business plans can add five, and there is no limit for Advanced and Enterprise plans.

Before you begin

Here's what you need before you can add a vanity URL to Hootsuite:

• A domain to use for your vanity URL, purchased from an accredited registrar. Your vanity URL domain can be similar to your brand's website domain, but it must be unique. It cannot currently be in use with an active website, or registered on the HSTS preload list. Vanity URLs do not work with HTTPS connections. Learn how to register a domain name for a vanity URL.
• Your own website to use as a root redirect.
• One of the following roles (see Overview of organizations, teams, and permissions):
  • Be an organization Super Admin or have the custom organization permission to Manage vanity URLs.
  • Have Team Admin, Unlimited, or the custom team permission to Manage vanity URLs for your team.

Add a vanity URL to Hootsuite

Add your vanity URL to Hootsuite so you and your organization members can use them in your posts, link presets, and content campaigns. To use your vanity URL in the Hootsuite mobile app, add it to a preset. Learn how to create link settings presets.

1. Go to Account, and then select Profile.
2. Select Vanity URLs.
3. Select Add New Vanity URL.
4. Enter your vanity URL information and select the organization to add it to. Start each URL with http://.
   
   Note: A root redirect is the URL (usually your company website) that people are taken to when they try to access your vanity URL without a hash on the end of it.
5. Select Save. We will generate an IP address.
6. Copy the IP address to update your Domain Name Server (DNS) settings (later in these instructions).
   This information is sent to the email associated with your Hootsuite account.
7. Select Finished.
8. Sign into your domain host account to update the A record in the DNS settings:
   • In the Hostname field, enter @.
   • In the IP address field, paste your IP address.
   How to edit the A record with various domain registrars:
   • GoDaddy
   • Namecheap
   • Enom

Your vanity URL will be ready to use in about 24 hours, pending verification from the domain registrar.

Remove a vanity URL from Hootsuite

Remove your vanity URL from Hootsuite.

1. Go to Account, and then select Profile.
2. Select Vanity URLs.
3. Select Delete beside the vanity URL.
4. Select OK.

Now that you have deleted your vanity URL, take a moment to update your DNS settings in your domain host account.