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Custom domains

Your brand, in every link

Branded links earn more taps than generic short URLs. Connect a domain you own and every link, QR code and campaign carries your name.

Why branded

Links people trust before they tap

A recognisable hostname tells people exactly who a link belongs to — on a poster, in an email or in a chat.

  • Connect 3 on Pro, 20 on Business
  • Set where the bare domain redirects, and a custom not-found destination
  • Every existing feature — rules, QR codes, analytics — works unchanged
  • Switch a link between domains at any time
Illustration of a custom domain being verified with a TXT and a CNAME record.

DNS setup

Connect a domain in four steps

You will need access to your domain’s DNS settings. Most providers apply changes within minutes; some take up to 48 hours.

  1. 1

    Add the domain

    In Dashboard → Domains, enter the hostname you want to use, such as go.example.com. A dedicated subdomain is recommended.

  2. 2

    Create the TXT record

    At your DNS provider, add a TXT record named _forkly-verify.go.example.com with the value forkly-verify=<token> from your dashboard.

  3. 3

    Point a CNAME at Forkly

    Add a CNAME record for go.example.com pointing to the target shown in your dashboard. Apex domains need ALIAS/ANAME or CNAME flattening.

  4. 4

    Verify

    Click Verify. If DNS has not propagated yet, Forkly keeps re-checking pending domains automatically and emails you if verification fails.

Records to create

DNS records required for a custom domain
TypeNameValuePurpose
TXT_forkly-verify.<host>forkly-verify=<token>Proves you control the domain. Your unique token is shown in the dashboard.
CNAME<host><your CNAME target>Sends link traffic to Forkly. The exact target is shown next to your domain in the dashboard.
dnsExample zone file entries
; Replace go.example.com with your hostname and use the
; token and target shown in Dashboard → Domains.
_forkly-verify.go.example.com.  3600  IN  TXT    "forkly-verify=<token>"
go.example.com.                 3600  IN  CNAME  <your CNAME target>.

FAQ

Domain questions

Can I use my root domain (example.com)?
Yes, if your DNS provider supports ALIAS/ANAME records or CNAME flattening at the apex. We recommend a subdomain such as go. or get. so your main website is unaffected.
Why do I need a TXT record as well as a CNAME?
The TXT record proves you own the domain, which prevents anyone else from claiming it. The CNAME actually routes traffic. Keep both in place after verification.
What happens if my DNS changes later?
Links on that domain stop resolving through Forkly until the records are restored. Your links, rules and analytics are kept, and you can re-verify at any time.
Which plans include custom domains?
Custom domains are available on Pro and Business. See the pricing page for limits.

Launch links on your own domain

Start on the free plan in under a minute. No credit card, no ads, no interstitials — upgrade only when you need branding, rules or the API.