In the noisy world of email marketing, standing out is harder than ever. Marketers craft catchy subject lines, eye-catching designs, and personalized messages — yet, many overlook a small but powerful element that can make or break their campaign success: the links. More specifically, branded links.

While generic, long, or suspicious-looking URLs can erode trust and reduce engagement, branded links do the opposite. They signal credibility, improve click-through rates, and provide advanced tracking, turning every email into a high-performing marketing tool. Let’s break down how branded links improve email campaign performance and why your next email should never go out without them.

Summary Table: How Branded Links Improve Email Campaign Performance

BenefitDescription
Increased TrustRecognizable, branded URLs appear more legitimate to recipients
Higher CTRsBranded links can boost click-through rates by up to 39%
Enhanced TrackingEasier to monitor link performance, attribution, and engagement
Brand VisibilityEvery link reinforces your brand name and domain in front of your audience
Phishing ProtectionBranded links help distinguish real messages from malicious ones

What Are Branded Links and Why Do They Matter?

What Are Branded Short Links and Why Do They Matter

A branded link is a shortened URL that incorporates your brand name or domain. Instead of using generic shorteners like choto.co/xyz123, you use something like yourbrand.co/summer-sale.

These links matter because they:

Platforms like Choto.co make it easy to create, manage, and track branded links — a simple yet highly effective way to elevate your email marketing.

As we’ll see, this small change can have an outsized impact on your email campaign performance.

How Branded Links Improve Email Campaign Performance

Branded links, which include your custom domain in the shortened URL, enhance email campaign performance by increasing brand recognition, building trust, and improving click-through rates. They make emails look more professional and trustworthy, leading to higher engagement and ultimately better campaign results.

Here’s how branded links improve email campaigns:

1. Do Branded Links Increase Trust and Credibility?

Absolutely. Recipients are bombarded with phishing attempts and sketchy links daily. A branded link provides visual confirmation that the email is legitimate.

Here’s why branded links build trust:

  • They include your recognizable domain or brand name
  • They look clean and intentional — no random characters
  • They signal professionalism and security

Example: Would you click on bit.ly/3x7a9kf or choto.co/demo-access? The latter feels safer, more trustworthy, and directly tied to the sender.

Trust is the first hurdle to engagement. Branded links help clear it.

2. Do Branded Links Improve Click-Through Rates?

Yes — significantly. Studies show branded links can increase click-through rates (CTR) by up to 39%.

Why?

  • Clear, branded links stand out from cluttered emails
  • Recipients feel confident clicking
  • Familiarity with your brand encourages action

More clicks mean higher traffic, more conversions, and better ROI — all without changing your email copy or design.

3. How Do Branded Links Enhance Link Tracking and Analytics?

Email marketers live and die by data. Branded links simplify link management while enhancing tracking:

  • Easily distinguish campaign links from organic shares
  • Attribute clicks to specific emails, audiences, or campaigns
  • Identify top-performing content with link-level granularity

Platforms like Choto.co offer advanced analytics dashboards for branded links, so you always know what’s working — and what’s not.

4. Do Branded Links Increase Brand Visibility?

Every link in your email is an opportunity to reinforce your brand. Instead of hiding behind generic URLs, branded links keep your name front and center.

Consistent brand visibility leads to:

  • Stronger brand recall
  • Greater trust over time
  • Increased likelihood of engagement

This subtle, repetitive exposure builds familiarity and loyalty — even if recipients don’t click right away.

5. How Do Branded Links Protect Against Phishing and Spam?

Phishing attacks thrive on ambiguity. Generic or random-looking links raise red flags, while branded links help recipients distinguish real emails from scams.

Branded links reduce spam suspicion by:

  • Making your emails instantly recognizable
  • Adding transparency to the destination URL
  • Aligning with industry best practices for email security

Protecting your recipients builds goodwill and keeps your emails out of the spam folder.

With these benefits in mind, let’s explore how to implement branded links effectively.

How to Use Branded Links to Maximize Email Performance

Branded links, customized with your company’s domain, can significantly improve email performance by boosting click-through rates, enhancing brand recognition, and building trust with recipients. Using them effectively involves strategic implementation and careful consideration of various factors. 

How to Boost Email Performance with Branded Links

Pick a Reliable Link Shortener

  • Start by choosing a trusted link shortening tool that lets you use your own domain, like yourbrand.co.
  • Popular options include Choto.co, Rebrandly, BL.INK, or Pretty Links.
  • Look for features such as link tracking, easy customization, and integration with your other marketing tools.

Set Up a Custom Domain

  •  Register a short, catchy version of your domain for branded links.
  • Make sure it’s relevant to your brand and easy to remember.

Create Strong, Trustworthy Links

  • Include your brand name or a recognizable variation to build trust.
  • Add relevant keywords to the link to hint at where it leads.
  • Keep your links short and simple to encourage clicks.
  • Always use HTTPS to show your links are secure.
  • Stay consistent — use the same branded format in all your campaigns.

Place and Test Links Strategically

  • Put your most important links near the top of your email.
  • Mix it up with text links, buttons, and images for variety.
  • Run A/B tests to find out what placement and wording work best.
  • Make sure links are easy to tap on mobile devices.

Track Performance and Optimize

  • Keep an eye on click-through rates to see how your links perform.
  • Track conversions to understand how many clicks lead to actions like purchases or sign-ups.
  • Identify which links get the most engagement.
  • Use these insights to refine your email strategy over time.

Keep Branding Consistent Across Channels

  • Use branded links in all your marketing — not just emails, but also on social media, SMS, and more.
  • Make sure your branded links look and feel the same across every platform.

Following these steps will help you get more clicks, build trust, strengthen your brand, and improve the results of your email campaigns.

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Conclusion

In a competitive inbox, small details create big advantages. Branded links improve email campaign performance by building trust, driving more clicks, strengthening brand visibility, and providing invaluable data.

If you’re serious about better results — from higher engagement to better analytics — branded links are a must-have.

Key Takeaways

  • Branded links increase trust, credibility, and click-through rates
  • They make your emails look professional and secure
  • Tracking and analytics are simplified and more accurate
  • Your brand gets repeated exposure, building familiarity and loyalty
  • Tools like Choto.co make branded link creation quick and easy

FAQ: Branded Links and Email Campaign Performance

What is a branded link?

A shortened URL that includes your brand name or domain, signaling trust and ownership.

How do branded links improve email performance?

They increase trust, boost click-through rates, enhance tracking, and reinforce brand visibility.

Are branded links secure?

Yes. In fact, they help recipients identify legitimate emails, reducing phishing risks.

Can I use branded links in every type of email?

Absolutely — promotional, transactional, newsletters, and more all benefit from branded links.

How do I create branded links?

Use a reputable link shortener with branding options, like Choto.co, to easily generate branded links for your campaigns.

This page was last edited on 8 July 2025, at 8:37 am