Bitly Link Checker
See where a bit.ly link really goes before you open it — or check that your own Bitly links still land on the right page.
Add the address each link should reach after it, separated by a space, to get a Match column.
What happens when you open a bit.ly link
Bitly stores each short code with the address it was created for. When the link is opened, Bitly looks the code up and answers with a 301 redirect to that address. We checked this on live links: a working bit.ly link returns 301 in a few hundredths of a second, and a code that does not exist returns 404.
From there the destination site takes over. If the link was made years ago with an http address, the site will usually redirect again to https; if the page has moved since, there may be another hop after that. The checker lists every one, so you can tell Bitly's redirect apart from the site's own.
Reading the result
- Status 301, then a 200 at the end — a healthy link. The arrow line shows the destination.
- Status 404 on the first step — the short link does not exist, was mistyped or has been disabled.
- Ends on a 404 later in the chain — the Bitly link works, but the page it points to has gone. If it is your link, edit its destination in Bitly.
- Three or more redirects — the destination address in Bitly is out of date. Updating it to the final URL makes the link faster.
- Via bit.ly, then another shortener — one short link wrapped in another. Worth a closer look if you did not create it.
Checking your own Bitly links
Short links outlive the pages they point to. Links printed on packaging, in PDFs, on QR codes or in old emails cannot be changed once they are out, so the only fix is to update where they go. To audit a set of them:
- Export your links from Bitly, or copy them from your campaign sheet.
- Open the Bulk tab and paste up to 50, one per line. To confirm each still reaches the right page, put the expected address after the link on the same line.
- Press Copy for Excel / Sheets and paste the results next to your list. Rows that end on a 404, a different page or a long chain are the ones to edit in Bitly.
For site-wide migrations, the bulk redirect checker page walks through the same process in more detail.
Is the Bitly link safe to open?
Bitly screens links for known threats, but a short link can be created by anyone and pointed anywhere. After checking, look at the domain on the arrow line and ask whether it matches what the message promised. The URL expander page lists the warning signs, and the Scan on VirusTotal button on the result sends the final address to a malware scanner.
Questions
How can I see where a bit.ly link goes without clicking it?
Copy the link, paste it above and press Check Bitly Link. Our server follows it and shows the final address and page title, so nothing opens on your device.
What status code does a Bitly link use?
A working bit.ly link answers with a 301 permanent redirect to the address it was created for. A deleted, disabled or mistyped one answers with a 404.
Why does my Bitly link go through extra steps?
The 301 from Bitly is only the first hop. If the link was created with an http address, or points at a page that has moved, the destination site adds its own redirects. Each one is listed, and fixing the address in Bitly removes them.
Can I check links on a custom Bitly domain?
Yes. Branded short domains run on Bitly work the same way as bit.ly; paste them as they are.
Can I check many Bitly links at once?
Paste several into the box, or use the Bulk tab for up to 50 links, one per line. Add the address each one should reach after it to get a Match column, then copy the results to Excel or Google Sheets.
Does checking a Bitly link add a click to its statistics?
It may. Bitly sees a request from our server rather than from you, and whether it counts it as a click is up to Bitly.
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