Creating Short Referrer Links

Generate short, shareable referrer links that enable user-to-user attribution and track app installs from organic referrals.

Overview

What Are Short Referrer Links

Short links transform long, parameter-filled Singular Links into compact, secure URLs convenient for sharing via SMS, social media, or in-app invitations.

Create short links dynamically so users can share them with friends to invite them to download and use your app. Each short link tracks the referring user, enabling you to measure viral growth and attribute new installs to specific advocates.

Implementation Requirements

Required Components

Gather these elements before creating a short referrer link:

• Singular Link: A base tracking link that directs users to your app download. See Singular Links FAQ for setup instructions
• Dynamic Parameters: Optional custom parameters to add context to the link. View available options in Tracking Link Parameters
• Referrer Information: Name and ID of the user sharing the link to enable attribution of new installs back to the referrer

SDK Method

createReferrerShortLink

Generate a short referrer link with custom parameters and callback handlers for success and error states.

Method Signature:

Singular.createReferrerShortLink(
    String baseLink,
    String referrerName,
    String referrerId,
    JSONObject parameters,
    ShortLinkHandler handler
)

Parameters:

• baseLink: The original Singular tracking link URL
• referrerName: Display name of the referring user
• referrerId: Unique identifier for the referring user
• parameters: JSONObject containing additional dynamic parameters (optional)
• handler: Callback interface with onSuccess and onError methods (required)

Usage Example

Create a short link with custom parameters and implement sharing logic in the success callback.

import org.json.JSONObject
import org.json.JSONException

// Create custom parameters for the link
val params = JSONObject()
try {
    params.put("channel", "sms")
    params.put("campaign_id", "summer_promo_2025")
    params.put("referral_type", "friend_invite")
} catch (e: JSONException) {
    Log.e("ShortLink", "Error creating parameters: ${e.message}")
}

// Generate the short referrer link
Singular.createReferrerShortLink(
    "https://sample.sng.link/D52wc/cuvk?pcn=test",  // Base Singular Link
    "John Doe",                                      // Referrer name
    "user_12345",                                    // Referrer ID
    params,                                          // Custom parameters
    object : ShortLinkHandler {
        override fun onSuccess(shortLinkURL: String) {
            Log.d("ShortLink", "Generated: $shortLinkURL")
            
            // Share the short link via Android Share Sheet
            val shareIntent = Intent(Intent.ACTION_SEND).apply {
                type = "text/plain"
                putExtra(Intent.EXTRA_TEXT, 
                    "Join me on this awesome app! $shortLinkURL")
            }
            startActivity(Intent.createChooser(shareIntent, "Share via"))
        }

        override fun onError(error: String) {
            Log.e("ShortLink", "Error creating link: $error")
            
            // Handle error - retry or show user feedback
            Toast.makeText(
                applicationContext,
                "Failed to create share link. Please try again.",
                Toast.LENGTH_SHORT
            ).show()
        }
    }
)

import org.json.JSONObject;
import org.json.JSONException;

// Create custom parameters for the link
JSONObject params = new JSONObject();
try {
    params.put("channel", "sms");
    params.put("campaign_id", "summer_promo_2025");
    params.put("referral_type", "friend_invite");
} catch (JSONException e) {
    Log.e("ShortLink", "Error creating parameters: " + e.getMessage());
}

// Generate the short referrer link
Singular.createReferrerShortLink(
    "https://sample.sng.link/D52wc/cuvk?pcn=test",  // Base Singular Link
    "John Doe",                                      // Referrer name
    "user_12345",                                    // Referrer ID
    params,                                          // Custom parameters
    new ShortLinkHandler() {
        @Override
        public void onSuccess(final String shortLinkURL) {
            Log.d("ShortLink", "Generated: " + shortLinkURL);
            
            // Share the short link via Android Share Sheet
            Intent shareIntent = new Intent(Intent.ACTION_SEND);
            shareIntent.setType("text/plain");
            shareIntent.putExtra(Intent.EXTRA_TEXT, 
                "Join me on this awesome app! " + shortLinkURL);
            startActivity(Intent.createChooser(shareIntent, "Share via"));
        }

        @Override
        public void onError(final String error) {
            Log.e("ShortLink", "Error creating link: " + error);
            
            // Handle error - retry or show user feedback
            Toast.makeText(
                getApplicationContext(),
                "Failed to create share link. Please try again.",
                Toast.LENGTH_SHORT
            ).show();
        }
    }
);

Implementation Best Practices

Error Handling

Implement robust error handling in the onError callback to manage network failures, invalid parameters, or server issues.

• Retry Logic: Implement exponential backoff for transient network errors
• User Feedback: Display clear error messages when link creation fails
• Fallback Option: Provide alternative sharing methods (e.g., share the full Singular Link if short link creation fails)
• Validation: Verify parameters before calling createReferrerShortLink to catch issues early

Tracking and Analytics

Leverage referrer information to build viral loops and measure organic growth.

Link Expiration

Plan for the 30-day link lifecycle in your sharing strategy.

Common Use Cases

In-App Referral Programs

Enable users to invite friends directly from your app with personalized referral links.

• Reward System: Track referrals and reward users for successful friend signups
• Social Sharing: Integrate with Android Share Sheet for SMS, WhatsApp, email, and social media
• Personal Invites: Include referrer name in the shared message for personalization

User-Generated Content

Create shareable links when users generate content they want to share with others.

• Content Attribution: Track which content drives the most app installs
• Creator Recognition: Attribute new users to content creators for gamification
• Campaign Tagging: Add dynamic parameters based on content type or category

Event Invitations

Generate unique links for event invitations that track which attendees bring new users.

• Event Context: Include event ID and details in link parameters
• Attendee Tracking: Measure viral spread from event to event
• Network Effects: Identify events with the highest conversion rates