Metrics you’ll find on a single link
- Traffic (Clicks) Total counts every click. Unique counts distinct users to estimate true reach.
- QR Scans Total and Unique scans for the links’ QR Code(s). Great for offline campaigns.
- Events & Conversions For each event: count and %CR (conversion rate from clicks/scans). Open the URL’s Event tracking tab to view them.
- Real-time events table Live interactions with: event name, anonymized user ID, source, country, device, timestamp. Useful for debugging a pixel or watching a launch.
- Trends over time Visualize how clicks, scans, and selected events change across the chosen date range. Compare multiple metrics on one chart.
Breakdown tables
Use the tabs below the chart. Each table can be filtered, and. on large datasets, expanded via “Show more” button.Sources (Domain / URL)
This view reveals how users reached your link.- Domain view groups traffic by referrer domain (e.g.,
instagram.com,linkedin.com,newsletter.shortpen.com). This helps identify which channels bring the most visitors overall. - URL view drills down into the exact referring page, allowing you to pinpoint specific campaigns or posts that drove clicks or conversions.
When referrer data is missing (for example, when users click from private apps or messages), traffic appears as Direct.
Countries
Shows the geographic distribution of clicks and scans, grouped by the visitor’s country. Useful for identifying regional performance differences or tailoring campaigns to specific locations.“Unknown” entries typically occur when location data can’t be inferred from the IP address (for example, due to the use of VPNs).
Languages
Displays the preferred language of visitors’ browsers. This helps identify your audience’s linguistic makeup and whether localization might improve results. The language breakdown can also validate multi-language landing pages or campaigns.You may notice small differences between Countries and Languages. That’s normal when visitors use a language different from their physical location.
Devices
Summarizes traffic by device type (Desktop, Mobile, Tablet, or Other). Ideal for understanding where your audience interacts with your content. A strong mobile share, for example, may justify mobile-first landing pages or shorter forms. Combine this insight with Platforms and Browsers to ensure a consistent experience across environments.Browsers
List the most used browsers such as Chrome, Safari, Edge, or Firefox. Helps you test your landing pages on the most relevant browsers.High “Other” traffic often comes from in-app browsers (Instagram, TikTok, etc.), where behavior and tracking can differ slightly.
Platforms (Operating Systems)
Breaks down traffic by the operating system used (Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Linux). This view is particularly valuable for technical teams and app marketers wanting to align their campaigns with device ecosystems. Combine it with Devices to detect mismatches (e.g., Android tablets or iPads).Timeframe
Displays clicks, scans, and conversions distributed across days or hours within the selected date range. Useful to spot trends, peaks around specific campaigns, or drops that might indicate tracking issues. You can overlay events (like signups or purchases) to see when they correlate with spikes in traffic.How to view and segment a single link
- Go to Links → open your link → Analytics.
- Pick a date range.
For deeper event details, open the Event tracking tab. Learn more: How to view conversions for a single ShortPen Link
Troubleshooting
No data to show
No data to show
Ensure the link actually received traffic in the period and that filters aren’t too restrictive.
FAQ
What’s the difference between clicks and unique clicks
What’s the difference between clicks and unique clicks
Clicks count all hits. Unique clicks are deduplicated by user to estimate reach.
Why do I see “Direct” as a source
Why do I see “Direct” as a source
Some browsers or privacy settings strip referrers. Traffic then appears as direct in Sources.
Where do I check conversion rate for a link
Where do I check conversion rate for a link
Open the link’s Event Tracking Tab. Each event shows count and %CR.