Shortening links using the URL Shortener

The URL Shortener is a web application designed to provide students, staff, and faculty the ability to both shorten URLs as well as maintain an association with the University.

The URL Shortener is a web application designed to provide students, staff, and faculty the ability to both shorten URLs as well as maintain an association with the University.

Shortening a link

Once you're signed into the application, the option to shorten a new link can be found on the right side of the page.

• Faculty and staff are provided an option to set the value of the new link as well as the website it directs to. If no value for the short URL is included, a random URL will be created.
• Do not paste the full URL into the short link, type the suffix only. 

• Students are provided the option of setting where the link directs to, but the value of the new link will be set to their username.
• Double check your URL before submitting.

Modifying a shortened link

The left column of the page consists of already shortened links that can be viewed and modified. All users have the option to modify where links redirect to by editing the link and selecting the Modify button. Faculty and staff may have multiple results show at a time depending on how many links they have shortened.

Generate a QR Code

The URL Shortener automatically generates a QR code for every shortened link you create. QR codes make it easy to share links on printed materials, signage, presentations, emails, and digital displays—allowing users to quickly access contents by scanning with their device.

You can customize the appearance of your QR code to fit your needs and University of St. Thomas branding, and download it in multiple file formats. This includes SVG (vector format), which is ideal for high-quality printing such as posters, physical banners, and newspaper ads. 
 

How to Access a QR Code

You can view a QR code in one of the following ways:

• Click the QR Code link next to a shortened URL within the application
• Add .qr to the end of a shortened URL in your web browser

Both methods will open the QR code generator page.
 

QR Code Design Options

You can choose from several design styles:

• QR Only – A simple QR code with no frame
• Square Outline – A QR code with a square border
• St. Thomas Frame – A QR code placed inside the branded purple frame
• Center Shield – A QR code with the University of St. Thomas shield in the center
• ​​​​​​​Outline + Gray Shield – A QR code with a gray shield in the center and a square border
   

Downloading Your QR Code

Once generated, QR codes can be downloaded in the following formats:

• SVG (recommended for printing and resizing)
• PDF
• PNG
• ​​​​​​​JPG
   

Branding Guidelines

When customizing colors, please ensure your selections align with the University of St. Thomas brand guidelines. The default color options are pre configured with official brand purples:

• Dark Purple: #510c76

• Medium Purple: #8348ad

• Bright Purple: #9e28b5

Refer to the University’s Brand Hub for additional branding guidance.
 

How to Remove the Google Analytics Tag

If your destination URL looks like the URL below with a "?_gl=" followed by long set of characters

or with a "#_ga=" followed by a long set of characters

   

This means your destination URL contains a Google Analytics ID which needs to be trimmed from the end of the URL.

To trim the Google Analytics ID delete the "?_gl=" or "#_ga=" and all the following characters, leaving the correct destination URL like below and hit the Modify button.

 

To report a problem or receive additional troubleshooting, please contact the Tech Desk.