How to shorten a link (URL) and track it

When you need to shorten a long URL, we recommend you use the University’s URL shortening service at z.umn.edu. People will associate the short link with the University and will be more likely to click the link than one created with another service (e.g. bit.ly or TinyURL).

When to use a shortened link

Sharing a URL in print: You should shorten a URL if you are sharing a URL in print. For example, which URL would you rather put in your print publication?

This:

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1o92mP5t__GCmyPlM1S0Y7ozXxT6mAB9y5ZafRzxJiTE/edit#heading=h.ue11mlcj42he

 Or this: z.umn.edu/KeyboardShortcuts

In Social Media posts: You should shorten a URL if you are sharing University-related content on social media sites. Short URL's are easier to read on mobile devices.

Make it easy to remember and recognize: If you have University-related content that you share often and will be longstanding, it’s an easy way to remember the URL.

How to create a Z link

1. Copy the URL you want to shorten
2. Log into z.umn.edu
3. Paste the URL into the Destination URL field
4. Optional: enter a custom short URL in the Keyword field
5. Click Z-Link It

Edit a Z link URL or keyword

1. Find the Z link in the list
2. Click the … under the actions column and select Edit

Track how many people clicked your link

You can see how many people clicked on your link, when they clicked it and where they are from. Under the Clicks column, click the number to open statistics about your link. You can also find Stats under the … actions column.

Collaborate and manage links with your team

You can group your URLs into collections to organize them around a project or event or team. Collections can be shared with other users to edit, view stats and add URL’s.

Create a collection:

1. Under My Collections, click Add New Collection
   
2. Enter a name and description and click Create Collection

Share a collection:

1. Under My Collections, click the … under the actions column and select Members
2. Enter a name/Internet ID and click Add member

Transfer a URL to an existing collection:

1. Under My Z-Links, find the URL you want to transfer
2. Under the Collections column drop-down, select a collection

Transfer a Z link to another person

Z links are owned by the person that created them. You can transfer one (or more) Z links to another person. NOTE: When you transfer Z links to another person, they have to log into z.umn.edu to accept them.

1. Under My Z-Links, click the checkbox next to the Z link(s) you want to transfer. You can select multiple items.
2. Click the Bulk Actions button at the top of the table
3. Select Give to a different user
4. Enter the name or Internet ID of the person.
5. Select the person from the list of matches.
6. Click Send URLs. A confirmation window is displayed.
7. Click the Confirm button.

The status bar at the top shows URLs that are pending approval. When the recipient claims them, the message will no longer be displayed for these Z links

The person (or account) receiving the Z links will need to log in to z.umn.edu and click the Accept button. They can also choose to Reject the transferal.

Lost or orphaned Z links

Z Links are owned by the person that created them. There may be instances where a Z link is still in use, but the owner no longer works at the University. If you need to transfer ownership of a Z link, contact 1-HELP and request a transfer of ownership.