If you use the SMS add-on and want to shorten and track links in your SMS messages, you must first set up a custom subdomain. This subdomain identifies your brand in the shortened links your contacts receive. For example, yourbrand.pxl.to/abc123.
Setting up a custom subdomain improves link deliverability. Most mobile carriers require shortened links to clearly identify the sender's brand. Without a custom subdomain, carriers may reject your messages or block your links.
Take note
- You must be an account admin to set up a custom subdomain
- You must purchase the SMS add-on to use this feature
- You must set up your custom subdomain before you can use the "Automatically shorten and track links" option in broadcast SMS or automated SMS messages
- Your subdomain must be between 2 and 32 characters and must be unique across all accounts. We recommend using your brand name
- Each account has one subdomain used across all SMS messages — both broadcast and automated
- Once your subdomain is approved, the field becomes read-only. You must contact our Customer Experience team to change it
- Any existing scheduled campaigns and automations with link shortening will continue to work. You do not need to update them
Set up your custom subdomain
- Click SMS > Sending Options on the left menu.
- Locate the "Link Shortening Subdomain" field.
- Enter your preferred subdomain. We recommend using your brand name (for example, "yourbrand").
- The system will check if the subdomain is available:
- If available, you will see a "Subdomain available" message.
- If already taken, you will see a "Subdomain already taken" message. Enter a different subdomain.
- Click "Save."
Once saved and approved, your subdomain is applied to all new shortened links in your SMS messages moving forward.
How your subdomain appears in SMS messages
When you check the "Automatically shorten and track links" box in the SMS builder, the links in your message will use your custom subdomain. For example:
yourbrand.pxl.to/abc123
The character count in the SMS builder will update to reflect the actual length of your subdomain. A longer subdomain uses more characters, so plan your message content with this in mind.
Change your subdomain
If you need to change your subdomain after it has been approved, you must contact our Customer Experience team and provide a reason for the change.
Old links will continue to work after a subdomain change. Your contacts can still access previously shortened links without any issues.