How to Make Money with URL Shorteners in 2025 (Step-by-Step Guide)
Making money online no longer requires creating a product or offering a service. In 2025, one of the easiest ways to earn passive income is by using URL shorteners that pay. This method allows you to share shortened links and get paid whenever someone clicks on them.
What Are URL Shorteners?
URL shorteners are tools that convert long and messy web links into shorter, cleaner versions. For example:
https://www.example.com/long-article-about-digital-marketing-2025
becomes:
https://short.ly/abc123
Some services like Bit.ly offer link tracking only, while others like AdFly, ShrinkMe, or Exe.io actually pay you for clicks.
How Do You Get Paid?
When someone clicks your shortened link, an ad appears for a few seconds. The platform earns from that ad and shares the revenue with you. Your earnings depend on:
- Number of clicks
- Visitor location (Tier 1 countries pay more)
- Shortening platform rates
Best Paying URL Shorteners in 2025
1. ShrinkMe.io
- Payout: Up to $22/1000 clicks
- Minimum payout: $5
- Payment: PayPal, Bitcoin, Payeer
2. Exe.io
- Payout: Up to $20/1000 clicks
- Detailed analytics and fast redirects
3. CPMLink.net
- Payout: $5 to $18/1000 clicks
- Payment methods: Payoneer, Skrill, etc.
Step-by-Step: How to Earn Money from URL Shorteners
Step 1: Choose a Trusted Shortener
Sign up on a platform like ShrinkMe or Exe.io and access your dashboard.
Step 2: Find a Valuable Link
Focus on popular content like:
- Free eBooks
- Viral videos
- How-to guides
- Affiliate product pages
Step 3: Shorten the Link
Paste the URL into the shortener and get a new link to share.
Step 4: Promote Your Link
Use the following methods to drive traffic:
1. Facebook Groups
Share posts in niche groups with your shortened link.
2. Telegram Channels
Create a channel offering daily value and include links.
3. Quora Answers
Answer questions and provide your link as a reference.
4. YouTube Descriptions
Add links to your video content or tutorials.
5. Medium or Blogger
Write articles with shortened links to valuable content.
Pro Tips to Boost Earnings
- Target Tier 1 traffic (USA, UK, Canada)
- Track link performance and optimize
- Don’t spam — provide value
- Use QR codes in visuals
- Combine with affiliate marketing
Earnings Breakdown
| Clicks/Day | Location | CPM | Daily Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| 100 | US | $15 | $1.50 |
| 500 | Mixed | $7 | $3.50 |
| 1000 | Global | $10 | $10 |
| 5000 | Mixed | $7 | $35 |
Pros and Cons
Pros ✅
- No investment needed
- Beginner-friendly
- Works in any niche
- Can be combined with other income sources
Cons ❌
- Some users dislike ad redirects
- Income depends on traffic
- Some platforms are blocked on social media
Conclusion
URL shorteners are an easy, flexible, and passive way to earn money online in 2025. Choose a high-paying platform, find valuable content, and promote it strategically. With time and effort, you can build a sustainable stream of income just by sharing useful links.
Start today — because even a small step can lead to a steady online income tomorrow.