How to Track Link Clicks for Free

You shared a link. But did anyone actually click it? Without tracking, you're flying blind. You don't know if your email campaign worked, which social posts drove traffic, or whether your QR code is actually getting scanned.

The good news: tracking link clicks is easy and free. Here's exactly how to do it.

Why Track Link Clicks?

Before we dive in, let's clarify why this matters:

• Measure ROI: Know which marketing efforts actually drive traffic
• Optimize campaigns: Double down on what works, cut what doesn't
• Understand your audience: Learn when and where people engage
• Prove results: Show stakeholders real numbers, not guesses
• A/B test: Compare different messages, platforms, or CTAs

Method 1: Use a URL Shortener with Analytics (Easiest)

The simplest way to track clicks is using a URL shortener that includes analytics. Here's how:

Step 1: Create a Free Account

Sign up at minimalink (free, takes 30 seconds). The free plan includes click tracking for all your links.

Step 2: Create Your Trackable Link

1. Paste your destination URL
2. Click "Shorten"
3. Get your trackable short link (e.g., mnml.ink/ABCD)

Step 3: Share Your Link

Use the short link instead of your original URL everywhere:

• Email campaigns
• Social media posts
• Text messages
• QR codes
• Online ads

Step 4: Check Your Analytics

Log in to your dashboard to see:

• Total click count
• Clicks over time
• Geographic data (country, city)
• Device breakdown (mobile, desktop)
• Browser and OS information
• Referrer data (where clicks came from)

Method 2: Use UTM Parameters (For Google Analytics)

If you already use Google Analytics, UTM parameters let you track link performance in your existing dashboard.

What Are UTM Parameters?

UTM parameters are tags added to your URL that tell Google Analytics where traffic came from:

yoursite.com/page?utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=spring-sale

The 5 UTM Parameters:

• utm_source: Where the traffic comes from (twitter, newsletter, facebook)
• utm_medium: The marketing medium (social, email, cpc)
• utm_campaign: The specific campaign name
• utm_term: (Optional) Paid search keywords
• utm_content: (Optional) Differentiate similar links

How to Create UTM Links:

1. Use Google's Campaign URL Builder
2. Fill in your parameters
3. Copy the generated URL
4. Shorten it with minimalink (UTM URLs are ugly and long)

View Results in Google Analytics:

Go to Acquisition → Campaigns → All Campaigns to see your UTM-tagged traffic.

Method 3: Combine Both Methods (Best)

For maximum insight, combine both approaches:

1. Create your URL with UTM parameters (for Google Analytics)
2. Shorten it with minimalink (for click tracking + pretty links)
3. Share the short link

Now you get:

• Click counts and device data from minimalink
• Full behavior data in Google Analytics (time on site, conversions, etc.)
• A clean, shareable link

What You Can Learn from Click Data

Once you're tracking clicks, here's what to look for:

Click Volume

The basics: how many people clicked? Compare across campaigns to see what resonates.

Click Timing

When do people click? This reveals the best times to post or send emails.

Geography

Where are your clickers located? Useful for targeting and understanding your audience.

Devices

Mobile vs. desktop? If 80% of clicks are mobile, your landing page better work on phones.

Referrers

Where did people click from? Direct, social, email, or other sources?

Use Cases for Link Tracking

Email Marketing

Create a unique trackable link for each email campaign. Compare open rates (from your email tool) with click rates to understand engagement.

Social Media

Track each platform separately. You might find that LinkedIn drives more clicks than Twitter, or that Instagram Stories outperform feed posts.

Influencer Campaigns

Give each influencer their own trackable link. See exactly who's driving results.

Print Marketing

Put a QR code with a trackable link on flyers, business cards, or posters. Finally measure offline marketing ROI.

A/B Testing

Create two links to the same page. Use one in version A of your content, the other in version B. Compare clicks to see which performs better.

Free vs. Paid Click Tracking

Feature	Free (minimalink)	Pro ($3/mo)
Click counting	✓	✓
Links per day	10	Unlimited
Geographic data	✓	✓
Device breakdown	✓	✓
Custom short codes	—	✓
QR codes	—	✓
CSV export	—	✓

For most users, the free plan is enough to get started. Upgrade when you need custom codes or QR tracking.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Using different links inconsistently: Stick to your trackable link everywhere
• Not giving campaigns time: Wait for statistically significant data
• Ignoring mobile: If 70% of clicks are mobile, optimize for that
• Tracking too much: Focus on metrics that inform decisions
• Not acting on data: Insights are useless if you don't change behavior

Summary

Tracking link clicks is essential for understanding what's working in your marketing. The easiest approach:

1. Create a free minimalink account
2. Shorten your URLs to get trackable links
3. Use short links everywhere instead of raw URLs
4. Check your dashboard to see click data
5. Optimize based on results

Stop guessing. Start measuring. Create your first trackable link now.