Building a Custom URL Shortener with YOURLS — Optimized for Speed, Scalability, and Efficiency
Some time ago, I decided to create my own URL shortener service, and I chose the powerful open-source project YOURLS as the foundation. YOURLS provides a lightweight and highly customizable framework for shortening URLs, but from the moment I set it up, I saw endless opportunities to improve, automate, and expand it far beyond its standard capabilities.
What began as a straightforward implementation has grown into a fully customized and automated system that’s optimized for both performance and scalability. Over time, I’ve implemented a wide array of enhancements — transforming the core service into something unique, efficient, and capable of handling large-scale usage without compromising speed or reliability.
Key Enhancements and Features:
- Automation of Processes: I’ve automated a variety of routines, from link generation and data collection to monitoring and maintenance. This allows the service to run smoothly with minimal manual intervention, ensuring maximum uptime and efficiency.
- Multi-Server Hosting Setup: The service is hosted across multiple servers, providing redundancy, improved load distribution, and increased resilience. This setup ensures high availability and optimal performance, even under heavy traffic.
- Real-Time Analytics Integration: To gain detailed insights into link usage, I integrated the system with Matomo Analytics, a powerful open-source analytics platform. This allows for real-time tracking of link clicks, user behavior, and geographic data — all while maintaining user privacy and data ownership.
- Continuous Development: The platform is in a constant state of improvement. New features, integrations, and enhancements are added regularly based on feedback, performance analysis, and emerging needs. This iterative approach ensures that the system stays modern and capable.
Ultra-Short URLs — Maximum Efficiency in Minimum Characters
The current setup uses the domain https://lkjp.me/, with each shortened URL comprising a maximum of three characters after the base domain. This results in links that are no longer than 19 characters in total, making them among the shortest URL shortener links available today.
To put this in perspective, with 36 possible characters (a–z and 0–9) available for each position in the short URL, the system can generate 36³ = 46,656 unique 3-character combinations. As of now, approximately 46,000 short links have already been created and are in use — meaning we are nearing full utilization of the 3-character namespace.
What Happens Next?
Once all possible 3-character combinations have been used, the system is designed to seamlessly transition to 4-character short URLs, exponentially increasing the number of available links. However, I’ve implemented a monitoring and cleanup process: existing links are regularly reviewed for activity. If a short link is no longer in use or has been inactive for an extended period, it may be reclaimed and made available for reuse. Thanks to this efficient recycling system, it’s unlikely that the switch to 4-character links will be necessary in the near future.
Final Thoughts
This project has become much more than just a tool for shortening URLs — it’s a testbed for optimization, automation, and smart resource management. By combining a minimalistic front-end experience with a powerful, scalable backend, I’ve been able to deliver a reliable and efficient service that continues to evolve. Whether it’s through enhancing performance, integrating analytics, or finding clever ways to minimize link length, I’m constantly looking for new ways to push this system further.
If you’re interested in custom URL shortening, automation, or analytics integration, or you just want to chat about creative tech projects — feel free to reach out!
BlueSky Post: https://bsky.app/profile/lkjp.me/post/3lkkegj65qk2j
