Link Shortener in GC Outreach Text Messages

How the Link Shortener Works

GC Outreach automatically shortens links in text messages to save character count and improve deliverability. The link shortener only works for text messages — it does not apply to email outreach.

Which Links Get Shortened

The shortener only processes links from these domains:

• GiveCampus.com — All GiveCampus platform URLs

• Your school's vanity URL — If your school has a custom domain configured

External links are not shortened. URLs from Facebook, Instagram, personal websites, or other external domains remain unchanged in your text messages.

How Shortening Happens

When you send a text message through GC Outreach:

1. The system scans your message content for URLs matching the approved domains

2. Any matching URLs are automatically converted to shortened links

3. Shortened links use the format: givecampus.com/s/abc123

4. The original URL (including all tracking parameters) is preserved and works when clicked

Preview vs. Actual Messages

There's an important difference between what you see during message creation and what recipients receive:

• Message preview — Shows the full, original URL

• Test messages — Use the actual shortened URLs

• Sent messages — Recipients receive the shortened URLs

Tracking and Functionality

Shortened links maintain full functionality:

• Donation tracking parameters are preserved

• Advocate links continue to work properly

• Campaign attribution remains intact

• Click tracking works normally

Best Practices

• Use the GiveCampus link selector when inserting links — this ensures proper tracking and shortening

• Avoid external link shorteners like bit.ly, which can trigger spam filters

• Test your messages to see the actual shortened URLs recipients will receive