This feature is available with some paid plans
Quick Answer: Use Bitly's bulk upload feature to update the destination URL of multiple existing short links at once. Your click history stays intact, and you can apply expiration dates or add new QR Codes as part of the same upload.
In this article, learn how to:
How bulk redirect works
When you redirect links in bulk, you provide Bitly with two things: the existing Bitly short link you want to update, and the new destination URL it should point to. Bitly updates the destination while keeping the short link and all of its click history exactly as they are.
A redirect will be created even if the new destination URL is the same as the current one. This is expected behavior.
Preparing the template for bulk redirect
Use the same template as bulk link shortening:
Make sure you don't change any of the column names or remove any columns.
For a bulk redirect, these columns are relevant:
| Column | Required? | What to enter |
| Long URL | Yes | The new destination URL you want the existing short link to point to |
| Current Bitly Short Link | Yes (for redirect) | The existing Bitly short link you want to update (e.g., bit.ly/example) |
| Link Title | No | Updates the display name of the link |
| Tags | No | Applies or updates tags on the redirected link |
| Expiration | No | Sets or updates the expiration date. Use ISO 8601 format: 2026-12-31T23:59:59+0000 |
Removing an expiration date: If a link already has an expiration date and you want to remove it, enter 0 in the Expiration column for that row. Leaving the cell empty will not remove an existing expiration.
If you don't use one or more optional columns, clear the sample content in those cells but leave the column headers unchanged.
When you're done, save the file as a .csv or .xlsx file. When using an Excel file, only the first sheet will be processed.
Submitting your bulk redirect upload
Once your file is saved, follow these steps to shorten your links.
- Log in to your Bitly account.
- Click Create new and select Link.
- Click bulk upload.
- Drag and drop your file into the field or click Browse files to search for it.
- Choose if you want to also generate attached QR Codes with the toggle.
- If you have a custom domain, choose whether to use it or bit.ly from the dropdown.
- Click Submit file.
- Check your email inbox for an update on your upload. Depending on the size of your file, it could take from minutes to hours to process your links.
- Click the link in the email to view your new links in Bitly.
If you get an email indicating a problem with your upload, correct any errors and follow the steps above to try again. See How do I troubleshoot bulk upload errors?
You can also check the status of an upload and download the results from your account settings. Visit How do I check the status of a bulk shortening CSV file? for instructions.
Frequently asked questions
Will my click history be preserved when I redirect a link?
Yes. Redirecting a link updates the destination URL only. Your existing short link and all of its click history remain unchanged.
What happens if I put the same destination URL that's already on the link?
Bitly will still create the redirect. This is expected behavior and will not cause an error. Any title, tags, or expiration you include in the row will be applied.
How do I remove an expiration date from a link I'm redirecting?
Enter 0 in the Expiration column for that row. This tells Bitly to remove the existing expiration. Leaving the cell blank will not remove an expiration that was previously set.
Can I redirect links and create QR Codes in the same upload?
Yes. Use the QR Code toggle during the upload. Bitly will create a new QR Code and associate it with your existing short link.
What if the short link I enter in the Current Bitly Short Link column doesn't exist?
That row will fail to process. You'll receive details about the error in your upload results email. Correct the short link and re-upload to fix it. To help you resolve issues, go to How do I troubleshoot bulk upload errors?How do I troubleshoot bulk upload errors?
Can I redirect QR Codes in bulk?
If you’re uploading a link with a QR Code associated, you can create a new QR code alongside a redirected link — the QR code will be associated with your existing Bitly link.