Key takeaways
- password protects the hop via the link — this is not the Stats password.
- privacy / privacy_password restrict viewing of the link's Stats.
- Expiry: ends_at (date+time), expiration_clicks, optionally expiration_url.
- After expiry: text/button, expiration_url_date; auto-redirect in 5 seconds with expiration_redirect.
Three restriction mechanisms
In link settings you can combine password protection, an end date, and a click limit. These are different fields — enable only what you need.
- The hop password is asked of the clicker before the redirect to the destination.
- Expiry (ends_at) — after the date/time the link is considered expired.
- Click limit (expiration_clicks) — after N counted hops the link expires.
Hop password
The password field sets the password that must be entered to follow the short link. Without the correct password the destination does not open.
Do not confuse: link password ≠ password for access to the report/Stats.
Stats password
privacy mode and privacy_password relate to Stats privacy: who can open the Stats page for the link. This is a separate setting from the hop password.
If you need to hide the numbers from outsiders but leave the link itself open — use privacy, not password.
Expiry and click limit
- ends_at — the date and time the link stops working.
- expiration_clicks — the maximum number of clicks after which the link expires.
- expiration_url — a URL tied to the expiry scenario (where to send after / a fallback in expired logic).
You can set both a date and a click limit: whichever condition happens first in actual use will fire.
Page after expiry
When the link has expired, the user sees the expired page: text, button, optionally the expiration_url_date address.
- You can show an explanation of why the link is unavailable.
- The button goes to the specified URL (for example a current promo).
- When expiration_redirect is enabled, the browser automatically goes to the destination URL after 5 seconds.
Test the scenario with a test link with ends_at «in a minute» or expiration_clicks = 1 before sending the campaign live.
Comment
The (internal) link comment is limited to 50 characters in form validation. Use it as a short note in the list; long descriptions belong in the campaign name/Space tag.