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Short answer: URL cloaking keeps your branded domain visible while hiding the destination URL in previews/status bars until the redirect occurs. Open the URL → URL Settings → Advanced Options → toggle URL Cloaking → choose the behavior → Save.
Use cloaking to keep URLs tidy, protect affiliate parameters from casual view, and stop previews from exposing routing logic.
What it does: keeps your link branded and obscures the destination in previews/status bars until the redirect occurs. What it doesn’t do: it doesn’t alter analytics, UTMs, or events. Those work normally after the visitor lands on the destination.
Need to hide referrer headers too? See: How to hide referrer information in ShortPen links

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When to use it

  • Keep promo/affiliate parameters out of plain sight.
  • Stop social/messaging apps from showing the raw destination.
  • Maintain consistent branding with your custom domains.
  1. Open the link. Go to Links → select the link (or New Link to create one).
  2. Go to Link Settings. Scroll to Advanced Options.
  3. Toggle Link Cloaking. Turn Link Cloaking On.
  4. Save.
Result: visitors see your branded link until the redirect. Analytics and UTMs continue to work as usual.

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Notes & good behavior

  • Policy & trust
  • Don’t use cloaking to mislead users or violate ad/network rules. Keep the landing page consistent with your message.

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Troubleshooting

Some platforms prefetch and may reveal the target regardless.
Some networks prohibit cloaking.