> ## Documentation Index > Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.soneka.africa/llms.txt > Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further. # Link Generator: Trackable WhatsApp Short Links & QR Codes > Create branded short links that open a pre-filled WhatsApp chat. Count clicks, tag campaigns, download QR codes, and attribute conversations to their source. ## Overview The **Link Generator** creates trackable WhatsApp links — short links that open a chat with your number and pre-fill a message. You pick a number and a welcome message; Soneka gives you a short link that opens WhatsApp, counts every click, and comes with a QR code. Manage links under **More → Link Generator**. Use these anywhere you want a one-tap "message us on WhatsApp" entry point: Instagram bios, Google Ads, email signatures, business cards, packaging, and storefronts. Because each link counts clicks and can carry tracking tags, you can see which channel actually drives conversations. **Works with any setup.** Links produce a standard WhatsApp link, so they work no matter how your number is connected (Unofficial API, official Cloud API, or Twilio). ## Create a Link Go to **Link Generator** and click **Create Link**. Give the link an internal **name** (for your own reference — not shown to customers). Enter the destination **country code** and **phone number**. Write a **welcome message** — the text pre-typed into the customer's chat box. Set a custom **short-link ending** (lowercase letters, digits, hyphens). Leave it blank and Soneka picks an 8-character one for you. Add **tracking tags** (source, medium, campaign) and an **expiry** date. Image Click **Save**. You get the short link, the full WhatsApp link it opens, and a QR code to download. **Phone number check.** The country code plus number must be a valid international number — at least 7 and at most 15 digits. A too-short number (which would produce a broken chat link) is rejected on save, so you can't accidentally publish a dead link on a business card or ad. Digits are tidied automatically and the country code gets a leading `+`. ## Link Fields | Field | Purpose | | --------------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | **Name** | Your own label — not shown to customers. | | **Country code + Phone** | The destination WhatsApp number. Non-digits are removed, the code gets a leading `+`, and the result is checked as a valid international number (7–15 digits). | | **Welcome message** | Pre-typed into the customer's chat box when they open the link. | | **Short-link ending** | The custom part at the end of the short link. Lowercase letters, digits, and hyphens only. If you leave it blank or pick one that's taken, Soneka generates a unique one (adding a number if needed). Endings are unique across all of Soneka because the short link is public. | | **Tracking source / medium / campaign** | Tags you record so you can tell channels apart in your reports. | | **Expiry** | After this date the short link stops working and shows a "paused or expired" page. | | **Status** | Active or paused. A paused link stops working immediately. | ## How the Short Link Works The short link is public — no login needed — because it's meant to be shared widely. When someone opens it: Soneka looks up the link. An unknown link shows a **"not found"** page. If the link is **paused** or **past its expiry**, the visitor sees a "paused or expired" page. Otherwise the click count goes up by one, the last-clicked time is updated, and the visitor is sent straight to WhatsApp. The link opens a standard WhatsApp chat — your number plus the welcome message (`https://wa.me/?text=`) — so it works in every browser and on mobile. Your tracking tags are saved for your reports; they aren't added to the WhatsApp link itself (WhatsApp would ignore them). ## QR Code Image * Each saved link comes with a **QR code** you can download and print on packaging, posters, business cards, or table tents. * Scanning the QR opens the same short link, so the scan flows through the click counter just like a tap — print placements and digital placements are both tracked. ## Click Analytics * **Per-link clicks:** every open (tap or QR scan) adds to the link's click count and updates its last-clicked time. * **Workspace totals:** the list page shows total links, active links, and total clicks across the workspace. * **Attribution:** combine the per-link counts with the tracking tags you set to compare channels — e.g. which campaign or placement drives the most WhatsApp conversations. ## Manage Links * **Edit:** change the number, message, short-link ending, tracking tags, expiry, or status anytime. Changing the ending re-checks that it's still unique. * **Pause / resume:** flip the status to stop or restart the link without deleting it. A paused link shows the "paused or expired" page to visitors. * **Duplicate:** makes a copy with a fresh short-link ending and a **reset click count**, so the copy tracks independently. * **Delete:** removes the link. Links belong to your workspace; the list shows 20 per page. **Ban safety.** A link only opens a chat — the customer still has to tap Send, which keeps you within WhatsApp's opt-in expectations. That's why links are a safer top-of-funnel tool than cold bulk sends. Avoid pairing a link with automation that immediately blasts a number you obtained without consent. ## Troubleshooting | Symptom | Likely cause & fix | | -------------------------------------------------- | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | Save rejected — "Phone number must be 7–15 digits" | The country code + number isn't a valid international number. Include the country code and enough digits. | | Short-link ending got a `-2` (or higher) added | The ending you chose was already taken. Soneka added a number to keep it unique. Pick a different ending if you want a clean one. | | Visitors see "This link is paused or expired" | The link is paused or its expiry date has passed. Resume it or clear/extend the expiry. | | Short link shows "not found" | The link doesn't exist (deleted or a typo). Check it in the Link Generator list. | | Short-link ending won't save | Endings allow only lowercase letters, digits, and hyphens (max 64 characters). Remove spaces, capitals, and symbols. | | Clicks aren't matching my ad reports | The click count includes every open — taps and QR scans, including your own while testing. Use tracking tags plus the per-link count together to attribute by channel. | | WhatsApp opens but the message isn't pre-filled | The welcome message was blank. Add one and it will appear in the chat box. |