How to Share Breaking News Faster with Shortened Links
In journalism, speed is everything. Whether it's a major political update, a sports victory, or an emergency alert, getting the news out quickly is crucial. This is where URL shorteners come in—they make links smaller, easier to share, and trackable.
If you're a journalist, editor, or social media manager, here's how shortened links can help you share breaking news faster.
1. Why Use Shortened Links for Breaking News?
✅ Quick to Share – No one wants to copy-paste long URLs, especially in urgent situations.
✅ Fits in Character Limits – Platforms like Twitter/X have character restrictions. Short URLs make space for headlines.
✅ Better Engagement – A clean and short link looks more professional and gets more clicks.
✅ Track Performance – See how many people clicked and where they came from.
✅ Easy to Remember – Custom short links (e.g., bit.ly/ElectionResults) are easier to share on TV, radio, or live streams.
2. Best URL Shorteners for Fast News Sharing
| Shortener | Best For | Free Plan? |
|---|---|---|
| Bitly | Custom links & tracking | ✅ Yes (limited) |
| TinyURL | Simple, no sign-up needed | ✅ Yes (unlimited) |
| Rebrandly | Branded short links | ✅ Yes (basic) |
| Ow.ly (Hootsuite) | Social media scheduling | ❌ No (only paid) |
| Aftergreenv | SEO-friendly tracking | ✅ Yes |
3. How to Share News Faster Using Shortened Links
🔹 Step 1: Copy your news article URL.
🔹 Step 2: Paste it into a URL shortener (Bitly, TinyURL, etc.).
🔹 Step 3: (Optional) Customize the link to match the news topic. Example: bit.ly/StockMarketCrash.
🔹 Step 4: Share it on Twitter, WhatsApp, Telegram, or news websites.
🔹 Step 5: Track clicks to see how your audience is engaging.
4. Pro Tips for Journalists & News Agencies
✔ Use branded links – Instead of random characters, use something meaningful (cnn.it/BreakingNews).
✔ Post across multiple platforms – Shortened links work well on social media, newsletters, and live TV.
✔ Track engagement – See which headlines get the most clicks and adjust accordingly.
✔ Use QR codes – Some shorteners (like Bitly) let you create QR codes for quick scanning.
Final Thoughts
If you’re in the news industry, speed and accuracy are your top priorities. Shortened links help you spread information quickly, increase engagement, and track performance—all in real-time.
For the best results, use Bitly, TinyURL, or Aftergreenv to make your breaking news more accessible and shareable.