What happens after a self destructing link expires?
The short URL returns a 404 and become unreachable. Any cached or forwarded copies of the link no longer work, and the analytics are sealed so the share stays private.
Free URL Shortener
Temporary links that expire after one click
Self Destructing Link Shortener
Create short links that automatically destroy themselves after a single click or a set time window. Perfect for one-time shares, sensitive documents, and limited-access promotions where you never want a link to outlive its purpose.
Most URL shorteners create links that live forever. For one-time shares and sensitive material, that is actually a liability — a link posted once can be re-opened, forwarded, and misused long after it should be gone. RELURL's self destructing link shortener inverts that model by giving your links a deliberate lifespan. Every ephemeral link watches its own usage and disappears the moment its configured click count or time window is reached. This is ideal for sharing documents, vouchers, invites, and gated content where you want a finite number of views and no lasting footprint. Because the link vanishes rather than lingering, you keep tighter control over who accesses your content and for how long.
Why Use Our Self Destructing Link Shortener?
One-click self-destruct
Countdown expiry timer
View count limits
Instant 404 after use
How It Works
1
Paste your URL
Drop in the link you want to share and choose how it should self-destruct.
2
Set destruction rules
Pick a click limit, a time window, or both. The link monitors itself automatically.
3
Share with confidence
Once the limit is reached, the link stops working and can never be reopened.
Why Use Our Self Destructing Link Shortener
Automatic one-click cleanup
The link deletes itself as soon as it has been used the allowed number of times, so there is no leftover URL you forget to revoke.
Time-boxed exposure
Combine or replace click limits with a countdown. Even links nobody clicks eventually expire, minimizing how long your content is accessible.
Sealed access records
Once a link self-destructs, its analytics freeze. You retain the usage summary while preventing any further access to the destination.
Empty clicks after expiry
After destruction the URL returns a clean 404, so forwarded or bookmarked copies of the link simply stop working.
What Makes RELURL Different
RELURL's self destructing links are built on the same reliable, low-latency redirect infrastructure as all our links, but with an added safety mechanism built in. Most free shorteners have no concept of destruction at all, leaving you to manually disable links later. Our tool automates the entire lifecycle. Set the rules once, share the link, and trust the system to retire it at the right moment. For anyone who shares launches, time-sensitive promos, gated downloads, or confidential material, this control is a genuine upgrade over permanent links.
How We Compare to Alternatives
Most shorteners only offer permanent links with no native self-destruct. RELURL lets you expire a link by clicks, time, or both from creation.
On generic tools, revoking a link means logging in later and disabling it manually. RELURL removes that step with automatic destruction.
Some 'one-click' services break the redirect after the first use. RELURL gives you a configurable click count, not just a hard limit of one.
Popular Use Cases
Sending confidential files that should be read once
Issuing single-use event or download tickets
Sharing limited-time promo codes
Distributing NDA or legal documents with expiry
Tips and Best Practices
Match the limit to the scenario
For a private file, cap clicks at the exact number of viewers you expect. For a promo link, use a time window so it disappears when the offer ends.
Pair with password protection
Adding a password to a self destructing link protects the destination even while it is live, giving you a second layer of control.
Save your analytics before destruction
If you need proof of views later, export the click data while the link is active, because the record seals once the link self-destructs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I set both a click limit and a time limit?
Yes. You can configure a link to expire after a specific number of clicks, a specific time, or whichever comes first. You decide the rule that fits your use case.
Are self destructing links really secure?
They significantly limit exposure versus a permanent link. Combined with optional password protection, they are a strong choice for one-time, time-boxed sharing of sensitive material.