How to migrate from Bitly without breaking links

Step 1: export everything from Bitly

In the Bitly dashboard, export your links as CSV. Keep the file somewhere safe. It is your record of every short link, its destination, its custom back-half and its creation date. Also screenshot or export any analytics you want to keep, because once you stop paying, history disappears with the plan.

Step 2: choose where you are going

Match the tool to the reason you are leaving. For most people that is ReSlug, which gives a domain, 500 active links and analytics free. For several brands, Short.io. For an API-driven setup, Dub. For a department with seats, Rebrandly. The ranked list covers each case.

Step 3: move your custom domain

If you were on Bitly Growth with a branded domain, you own that domain. In your DNS, remove the record pointing at Bitly and add the one the new provider gives you. ReSlug, Short.io, Dub and Cuttly issue SSL automatically once the record resolves. Do this only after step 4 is ready, because the moment DNS changes, links on that domain resolve at the new provider.

If you never had a custom domain, this is the moment to set one up. A subdomain of your main site, such as go.yourbrand.com, costs nothing.

Step 4: recreate the links by CSV

Import the Bitly export into the new tool, keeping the same back-halves wherever possible so go.yourbrand.com/launch still means the same thing. ReSlug accepts 100 rows on free and 1,000 on Pro. Rebrandly and Cuttly offer bulk import on paid plans. Short.io and Dub accept bulk creation through the API. Test a handful of links before you flip DNS.

Step 5: deal with printed QR codes

Check what each printed code encodes. A code that encodes your own domain keeps working after DNS moves and the link exists at the new provider. A code that encodes a bit.ly address only works while the Bitly account and that link exist. Reprint those, or keep the Bitly link alive and point its destination at the new short link.

Step 6: keep Bitly alive for a while

Links hosted on bit.ly are Bitly's property. Do not delete the account the day you leave. Let it run for a few months, ideally on the free plan, so any bit.ly link in an old email or post still resolves. Watch the click counts on the old links; when they reach zero, you can let the account go.