This feature is available with some paid plans
Quick Answer: Dynamic routing lets a single Bitly Code send visitors to different destination URLs based on conditions like their country, region, device, or platform. Instead of creating a separate code for every audience, you set routing rules on one code, and Bitly handles the redirect and reports results in one place. Dynamic routing is available on some paid plans.
This article explains how dynamic routing works, who can use it, and how to set up, manage, and monitor routing rules on your Bitly Codes.
How dynamic routing works
Without dynamic routing, a Bitly Code always sends every visitor to the same destination. If you wanted to send mobile users somewhere different than desktop users, or route by country, you'd have to create and track a separate code for each audience.
Dynamic routing allows you to add that logic directly to a single code. You can set up to 10 rules on a code, each based on one condition (country, region, device, or platform) using simple is or is not conditions. When someone clicks your code, Bitly checks the rules from top to bottom and sends the visitor to the destination for the first rule that matches. If nothing matches, the visitor goes to your code's default destination.
Rules you set on a QR Code automatically apply to its paired link. For details on dynamic routing and links specifically, see What is dynamic routing for Bitly Links?
How is each condition defined?
Each condition in a dynamic routing rule is defined a little differently:
Country
A distinct territorial body. Countries are defined using ISO 3166-2, a universal standard.
Region
You must select a Country before you can select a Region.
A more localized area within a country, such as a state, province, or territory. Available regions vary by country and are also defined using ISO 3166-2.
Platform
The operating system running on a visitor's device: iOS or Android. Useful for sending mobile visitors to the correct app store.
Device
The type of equipment used to view your link: Mobile, Tablet, or Desktop. Useful if you have a different experience built for each device type.
Set up dynamic routing on a new QR Code
You can turn on dynamic routing while creating a QR Code. See How do I create a QR Code in Bitly? for the full QR Code creation flow.
Here's what happens at the dynamic routing step:
- While creating your QR code, toggle the Dynamic routing switch under Advanced settings.
- For If: Choose (Country, Region, Device, or Platform), select is or is not, then choose the value to match. Click + Add condition to add more audience to that rule.
- For Then go to: Enter the destination URL for that rule.
- Select + Add rule to add up to 10 rules.
- Drag a rule to reorder it. Visitors are matched to the first rule that fits, top to bottom.
- Click Design your code.
Manage dynamic routing on an existing QR Code
To add, edit, or remove dynamic routing rules on a QR Code you've already created, use the QR Code's details page.
The standard edit QR Code page doesn't include dynamic routing controls.
- Log in to your Bitly account.
- Click QR Codes in the left sidebar.
- Select the QR Code you want to edit from the list. If you have a lot of QR Codes, use search or filters.
- On the details page, find the Dynamic routing section and click Edit for existing rules. To add new rules to an existing link, click +Add rule.
From here, you can:
Click +Add rule to create a new rule, or select an existing rule to edit it.
Drag a rule to reorder it. Visitors are matched to the first rule that fits, top to bottom.
Click the trash can icon to delete a rule. Once a rule is deleted, the action cannot be undone. - Click Save dynamic routing to save your changes.
Deleting rules
You can delete individual rules or turn off dynamic routing entirely from the details page. What happens next depends on whether you have rules left:
- If other rules remain: Your remaining rules are still evaluated top to bottom. Visitors who previously matched the deleted rule are now checked against your other rules and routed to the first one that fits. Only visitors who don't match any remaining rule are sent to your default destination. The deleted rule's past scans are grouped under previous destinations in your analytics rather than broken out separately.
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If you delete your only rule or remove all rules: All visitors go to your default destination. Each removed rule's past clicks are grouped under previous destinations in your analytics. The dynamic routing metrics module in QR Code details is also removed.
View dynamic routing analytics
Once a QR Code has at least one dynamic routing rule, an analytics view appears on its details page showing scans by rule and destination. This view reflects your current rules and destinations only, it doesn't retain previous destinations. This view follows your plan's standard look back window, starting from the date you added dynamic routing. Adjust the date picker to see a different range.
Frequently asked questions
What happens if none of my rules match a scan?
The visitor is sent to your code's default destination.
Can I reorder my rules after I've created them?
Yes. From the code's details page, drag a rule to a new position. Rules are matched top-down, so order matters.
Do I need a short link to use Dynamic Routing on a QR Code?
No. You can set Dynamic Routing rules directly on a standalone Bitly Code, whether or not it's paired to a link.
Does Dynamic Routing work with my short link too?
If this Bitly Code is paired to a link, yes. The rules set on the link apply automatically to the code. See What Is Dynamic Routing for Bitly Links?