When you buy through our links, we may earn a commission. Learn more ›

AffiliateCMS.com

Pretty Links Reviews

prettylinks.com Affiliate tool
Editor's rating
3.8/5
User rating
No reviews yet
0
Category
WordPress Link Cloaking Plugins
Pricing
Freemium
Price from
$99.50/yr
Free trial
Free plan
Best for
WordPress bloggers managing affiliate links
Advertisement

Overview

Pretty Links is a WordPress-native affiliate link management tool designed to help bloggers and publishers organize, cloak, and track their monetization efforts. The plugin addresses a genuine need for WordPress publishers who want to obscure referral links and gain visibility into click performance without leaving their dashboard. It occupies a practical middle ground between full-featured affiliate networks and basic URL shorteners, making it a solid option for independent content creators managing multiple affiliate relationships.

Pricing and value

The freemium model offers genuine value for small publishers testing the waters, with a free version that includes basic link cloaking and shortening. Paid plans starting around $99.50 annually are competitively priced compared to standalone affiliate tracking platforms, though publishers should verify current pricing and feature boundaries between tiers before committing. The annual billing option makes it accessible for bootstrapped creators, though the exact feature differences between price levels warrant careful review.

Key features

Link cloaking converts lengthy affiliate URLs into clean, branded short links that look professional and are less likely to trigger user skepticism. Auto-linking automatically converts keywords or phrases into affiliate links across your content, saving manual effort and improving monetization consistency. Click tracking provides basic analytics showing how many times links have been clicked, helping publishers understand which products or recommendations resonate with their audience.

How to get started

Installation is straightforward for anyone comfortable with WordPress plugins: search for Pretty Links in the plugin directory, install, and activate. After setup, you can begin adding affiliate links through the plugin interface, either manually or by enabling auto-linking rules for specific keywords. The free version allows immediate testing without payment, making it low-risk to evaluate whether the tool fits your workflow.

Pros and cons

Pros

  • Integrated into WordPress dashboard with no external platform required
  • Freemium model allows risk-free evaluation and use at small scale
  • Auto-linking feature significantly reduces manual link insertion overhead
  • Link cloaking improves user trust and professional appearance of content

Cons

  • Limited integration options beyond WordPress; not designed for multi-platform publishers
  • Analytics appear basic compared to dedicated affiliate tracking platforms
  • Support resources and community size smaller than major WordPress plugins

Who it is best for

WordPress bloggers and niche publishers who maintain multiple affiliate relationships and want centralized link management without complex setup. Publishers earning modest affiliate income who need basic tracking and prefer to keep tools within their WordPress ecosystem. Content creators uncomfortable with leaving raw affiliate URLs visible in their content and seeking to improve user experience through branded links.

Verdict

Pretty Links delivers solid, practical functionality for WordPress publishers who need lightweight affiliate link management without enterprise complexity. The freemium model and WordPress-native approach reduce friction for adoption, and the core features directly address publisher pain points around link cloaking and basic performance tracking. However, publishers with high-volume affiliate operations or those needing advanced analytics, API access, or multi-platform support may outgrow it quickly.

Advertisement
Advertisement

User reviews

Be the first to review Pretty Links. Share your experience to help other affiliates.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need approval to use Pretty Links, or can I start immediately?
Pretty Links is a self-hosted WordPress plugin you control directly, so there is no external approval process. You can install and activate the free version immediately and start cloaking links without waiting for any third-party authorization.
Does Pretty Links manage affiliate commissions or track my earnings?
No. Pretty Links only tracks link clicks on your site and provides basic analytics about traffic through your affiliate links. Commission tracking, payouts, and earnings management remain handled directly by your affiliate programs or networks (Amazon Associates, ShareASale, CJ Affiliate, etc.).
How do I get paid for sales made through Pretty Links?
Pretty Links does not process payments. You are paid by your affiliate partner (e.g., Amazon Associates, an advertiser network) according to their terms. Pretty Links simply masks and tracks the links you provide to them, making the monetization transparent for you but not changing the payout flow.
Is there a minimum payout threshold or does Pretty Links charge per transaction?
Pretty Links does not manage or process payouts. Your affiliate partner sets any minimum payout thresholds or fees. Pretty Links is a one-time or annual software purchase, not a commission-based service.
What affiliate programs or advertisers can I use with Pretty Links?
Pretty Links works with any affiliate program you are already enrolled in. It is a linking tool, not a network, so it is compatible with Amazon Associates, commission networks like ShareASale and Awin, and individual advertiser affiliate programs. You manage your own enrollments and partnerships.
Is Pretty Links legitimate and safe to use for affiliate links?
Yes. Pretty Links is an established WordPress plugin published on the official WordPress plugin repository, maintained actively, and widely used by publishers. Link cloaking is a standard, legitimate practice in affiliate marketing and does not violate most affiliate program terms of service, though you should verify your specific programs allow it.
Who should and should not use Pretty Links?
Pretty Links suits WordPress-first publishers managing multiple affiliate relationships who value simplicity and affordability. It is not ideal for multi-platform publishers, those needing advanced affiliate analytics, high-volume affiliate operations requiring API integration, or publishers not using WordPress as their primary platform.