Documentation

Understanding Slugs, Base Paths, and Short URLs

Learn how base paths and slugs combine to create the short URLs visitors use.

Understanding Slugs, Base Paths, and Short URLs

GoshLinks creates short links using three main parts: your domain, your Base Path, and your link Slug.

Short URL Format

A GoshLinks short URL normally looks like this:

https://example.com/go/summer-sale

  • example.com is your website domain.
  • go is the Base Path.
  • summer-sale is the Slug.

What Is the Base Path?

The Base Path is the shared path used by all GoshLinks short URLs on your site.

You can set it in GoshLinks > Settings > Setup.

Common examples include:

  • go
  • link
  • r
  • visit

What Is the Slug?

The Slug is the unique part of a short link. Each slug can only be used once.

Good slugs are short, readable, and easy to remember.

Examples:

  • newsletter
  • black-friday
  • course-bonus
  • shavex50

Slug Validation

On the Add New Link page, GoshLinks checks slug availability as you type. The indicator only appears after you start entering content.

  • A green tick means the slug is available.
  • A red cross means the slug cannot be used.

Changing the Base Path

Changing the Base Path changes the public format of your short links. Be careful if you have already shared links using the previous Base Path.

For example, changing the Base Path from go to link changes:

https://example.com/go/summer-sale

to:

https://example.com/link/summer-sale

Best Practices

  • Keep your Base Path short and simple.
  • Use slugs that describe the offer, product, page, or campaign.
  • Avoid spaces and special characters.
  • Use hyphens to separate words.