Connecting a custom domain (e.g. link.yourbrand.com) to your URL shortening engine elevates brand recognition and improves CTR. This technical guide outlines the DNS record configuration, CNAME mapping, and automatic Let's Encrypt SSL/TLS provisioning process.
Step 1: Choose Your Subdomain or Root Domain
We recommend using a dedicated subdomain (such as go.yourdomain.com or link.yourdomain.com) to avoid conflicts with your main web server's A records.
Step 2: Add CNAME Record in your DNS Provider
Log into your DNS management portal (Cloudflare, Namecheap, GoDaddy, AWS Route 53) and create the following DNS record:
Step 3: Cloudflare Proxy (Orange Cloud) Consideration
If using Cloudflare DNS, set the Proxy status to DNS Only (Grey Cloud) during initial SSL handshake verification. Once Let's Encrypt issues the certificate, you may safely enable Cloudflare Proxying for Edge DDoS mitigation.
Step 4: Automated SSL/TLS Handshake & Verification
Once your DNS propagates (typically 1–15 minutes), our Vercel Edge routing network automatically provisions a dedicated 2048-bit RSA Let's Encrypt SSL certificate for your custom domain, guaranteeing zero security warnings for your audience.
