The Short Link Report in touchSMS gives you insight into how recipients engage with the links in your messages. By tracking link clicks, you can see how effective your SMS campaigns are at driving action and interaction.
What Are Short Link Reports?
Whenever a message you send contains a URL and Short URLs are enabled, touchSMS automatically shortens and tracks those links.
The Short Link Report compiles this tracking data, showing you how many times your links were clicked and, if applicable, exactly who clicked them.
How Short Links Work
When you include a URL in your SMS and have Short URLs enabled:
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The original URL remains visible while composing your message.
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At the moment of sending, touchSMS automatically converts it into a short URL.
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Recipients see this shortened version in their message.
This shortening process helps you:
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Keep your message within the 160-character SMS limit.
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Track link engagement through detailed reporting.
Understanding Your Short Link Report
The Short Link Report provides visibility into:
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Message details: Date, time, and message content where the short link appeared.
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Click activity: Number of times your link was clicked.
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Recipient-level tracking: (For clients with a Virtual Number) identifies which specific recipients clicked your link.
Reporting Differences
Clients Without a Virtual Number
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All recipients receive the same short link.
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The Short Link Report shows total clicks for that link – giving you an overview of how many people engaged overall.
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This is ideal for broad campaigns where aggregate engagement is sufficient.
Clients With a Virtual Number
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Each recipient receives a unique short link.
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The Short Link Report shows clicks per recipient, allowing you to see exactly who clicked your link.
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This provides detailed engagement insights, perfect for follow-ups or targeted re-engagement.
✅ Summary
| Feature | Without Virtual Number | With Virtual Number |
|---|---|---|
| Link Type | One shared short link | Unique link per recipient |
| Click Tracking | Total clicks per message | Clicks per individual recipient |
| Report Detail | Aggregate engagement | Detailed engagement by contact |
| Best For | Bulk notifications | Marketing, follow-ups, targeted campaigns |
Tip: To generate Short Link Reports, make sure Short URLs are enabled before sending your messages. All tracking occurs automatically once your SMS is sent.