FreeurlThe Freeurl blog
Practical guides on short links, QR codes, UTM tracking and link analytics. Written for people who share links for a living.
What Is Quishing and How to Avoid It (QR Phishing)
Quishing is phishing done through a QR code. Here is how it works, the warning signs, and a simple routine that keeps you safe, whether you scan codes or print them for your business.
Nov 3, 2026 · 6 min readHow to Spot a Fake QR Code Sticker (7 Checks)
Scammers stick their own QR codes over real ones on parking meters, menus and flyers. Here are seven checks that catch most of them, and what to do if you already scanned one.
Nov 2, 2026 · 6 min readDo Short Links Hurt SEO? What Google Says
Short links do not hurt your rankings by default. Here is what Google has said about redirects, the real risks, and a simple setup that keeps your SEO clean.
Oct 31, 2026 · 7 min readHow to Track QR Code Scans (Free, Step by Step)
A QR code with your web address inside can't be counted. Put a short link inside instead, and every scan shows up in a free click report. Here are the steps and the limits.
Oct 29, 2026 · 7 min readHow to Make a QR Code for a Google Review Link
Copy your Google review link, turn it into a QR code, test it, and print it at a size that scans. Plus the review rules that can get your reviews removed.
Oct 26, 2026 · 9 min readHow to Check a Bit.ly Link Before You Click It
A short link hides its destination by design. Here are three ways to see where a bit.ly link goes before you open it, and the red flags that mean you should not.
Oct 24, 2026 · 7 min readWhat Is the Difference Between UTM Source and UTM Medium
utm_source says where a click came from. utm_medium says what kind of channel carried it. Here is how to fill in both, with examples and the mistakes that break your reports.
Oct 23, 2026 · 6 min readHow to Create a Branded Short Link in 10 Minutes
A branded short link uses your own domain, like go.yourbrand.com/sale, instead of a generic one. Here is the exact setup, from picking a domain to testing the first link.
Oct 19, 2026 · 6 min readHow to Use Your Own Domain for Short Links (Step by Step)
A plain walkthrough for connecting a domain you own to your short links: subdomain or root, the DNS records, verification, and what to do when it fails.
Oct 18, 2026 · 7 min read