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GoloLink vs Ow.ly

Ow.ly Alternative for YouTube Creators: GoloLink vs Ow.ly

Ow.ly is handy if you already live inside Hootsuite. GoloLink is a standalone tool built specifically around tracking links per YouTube video, whether or not you use a scheduler.

Verified September 9, 2026

Ow.ly is the link shortener built into Hootsuite's social media scheduling platform, most valuable to creators who are already scheduling their posts through Hootsuite. Note: some third-party sources report Hootsuite has scaled back new Ow.ly link creation in favor of legacy links continuing to redirect - worth confirming current behavior in your own Hootsuite account before relying on it.

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At a glance

Ow.ly

Best for
You're already scheduling through Hootsuite and just want shortening plus UTM tagging built into that same workflow at no extra cost.
Starting price
See site
Free plan
See site
Standout
Tightly integrated with Hootsuite's scheduling and publishing workflow
Limitation
No per-video attribution - clicks aren't tied to which YouTube upload sent them

GoloLink

Best for
YouTube creators who reuse links across uploads
Starting price
Free
Free plan
Yes - 10 videos / 25 links
Standout
Per-video click attribution
Limitation
No public API or team invites yet

Ow.ly vs GoloLink: video attribution

Ow.ly reports link-level clicks. GoloLink attributes each placement to the upload it lives in.

Why per-video attribution matters

Reusing the same affiliate or product link across several videos blends performance into one total. GoloLink tags each description placement so you can see which upload still converts.

GoloLink vs Ow.ly

FeatureOw.lyGoloLink
Features
Integrated with a social scheduling platform–
UTM tagging
Custom vanity URL (Advanced plan+)
Custom domain–
Basic click tracking
Per-video click attribution–
Standalone click analytics (country/device/browser)–
Dead-link monitoring–
Built for YouTube description links–

Features

Integrated with a social scheduling platform

Ow.ly
GoloLink–

UTM tagging

Ow.ly
GoloLink

Custom vanity URL (Advanced plan+)

Ow.ly
GoloLink

Custom domain

Ow.ly–
GoloLink

Basic click tracking

Ow.ly
GoloLink

Per-video click attribution

Ow.ly–
GoloLink

Standalone click analytics (country/device/browser)

Ow.ly–
GoloLink

Dead-link monitoring

Ow.ly–
GoloLink

Built for YouTube description links

Ow.ly–
GoloLink

Pricing

Compare list prices and free tiers. Confirm live plans on each vendor site.

Ow.ly

See Ow.ly's pricing page for current plans - we do not invent numbers here.

    Pricing changes often - verify on the competitor's site.

    Pricing as of 2026-09-09.

    Ow.ly's pricing →

    GoloLink

    Free plan with up to 10 videos and up to 25 unique links, full per-video attribution, and unlimited clicks. Paid plans scale video/link limits and unlock CSV export, custom domains, Bio Pages, and Growth-only features like dead-link monitoring.

    • Freeup to 10 videos; up to 25 unique links; Smart Picks included; no Bio page$0
    • CreatorHigher video/link caps; CSV export; 1 custom domain(s)See /pricing
    • GrowthUnlimited scale; Bio Pages; dead-link monitoring; app redirects; in-app-browser escapeSee /pricing

    Exact paid prices and live quotas are on /pricing and can change. Feature flags follow the plan table.

    Pricing as of 2026-10-17.

    See full GoloLink pricing →

    Who should stay vs switch

    Stay with Ow.ly if

    • Tightly integrated with Hootsuite's scheduling and publishing workflow
    • UTM tagging built into the same compose/schedule flow
    • Custom vanity URLs on Hootsuite's Advanced plan and up
    • One less tool to manage if Hootsuite is your main hub

    Switch to GoloLink if

    • No per-video attribution - clicks aren't tied to which YouTube upload sent them
    • No custom domain - only vanity slugs on higher-tier Hootsuite plans
    • Its value is mostly tied to being inside Hootsuite, so it's not built as a standalone link analytics tool for creators
    • You want a free plan with per-video attribution from day one

    How to switch from Ow.ly

    No automated import — most creators scan their channel, recreate active links, and swap URLs gradually.

    1. List the Ow.ly links you still use

      Export or copy the destinations (and click totals if you want a baseline) from Ow.ly. Focus on links that still appear in video descriptions, bios, or Smart Pick-style pages.

    2. Scan your YouTube channel in GoloLink

      Paste your channel URL on the homepage - GoloLink finds product and affiliate links already in your descriptions so you are not starting from a blank sheet.

    3. Recreate active links and tag each to a video

      There is no automated one-click import today. Recreate the links you still need, tag each placement to the upload it lives in, and use custom aliases where branding matters.

    4. Swap URLs gradually and keep both running

      Update live and upcoming videos first. Keep Ow.ly links alive on old uploads until you have swapped every reference - nothing breaks on signup day.

    Who this comparison is for

    YouTubers

    See which upload actually drives clicks, not just which one got the most views.

    Affiliate marketers

    Know which specific video sends affiliate clicks instead of one blended total.

    Review channels

    Compare click performance across every product review you've published.

    Tech creators

    Track gear and software links across dozens of videos without losing which one converts.

    Finance creators

    Attribute every tool or offer link back to the exact video that sent the click.

    Course creators

    See which lesson or promo video actually drives enrollments, not just watch time.

    Keep exploring

    More alternatives in the same conversation.

    GoloLink vs Bitly

    You need enterprise-grade link infrastructure and API automation across many non-video channels.

    Read comparison →

    GoloLink vs Rebrandly

    You are a marketing team managing branded links, workspaces, and conversion goals across many non-video campaigns.

    Read comparison →

    GoloLink vs Short.io

    You want affordable branded short links with API access and team seats—not YouTube-native per-video analytics.

    Read comparison →

    GoloLink vs Dub

    You are building link infrastructure with API access and optional partner/affiliate programs—not a YouTube per-video dashboard.

    Read comparison →

    Video attribution

    See which upload sent every click.

    Open →

    Smart Picks

    Shoppable pages with per-store tracking.

    Open →

    Pricing

    Free plan limits and paid tiers.

    Open →

    Savings calculator

    Compare shortener costs at your click volume.

    Open →

    Browse all alternatives

    Frequently asked questions

    No - Ow.ly's tracking is oriented around the social posts you schedule through Hootsuite, not around individual YouTube videos. It doesn't split clicks out by which upload sent them. GoloLink tags every link to its source video directly.

    Sources: Ow.ly website; Ow.ly (primary). Feature details verified 2026-09-09.

    Plans

    Core tracking on every plan, including Free.

    Pick a plan when you outgrow Free - domains, exports and more capacity unlock as you grow.

    In every plan, including Free

    • Per-video attribution
    • Smart Links
    • Smart Pick pages
    • Click analytics
    • Channel scan
    • Unlimited clicks

    Free

    $0/forever

    No credit card needed

    • Up to 25 unique links
    • Track up to 10 videos
    • Unlimited clicks
    • Up to 10 Smart Pick pages
    • 1 Bio page
    Start with free

    Creator

    $9/month

    or $90/year - 2 months free

    • Up to 250 unique links
    • Track up to 100 videos
    • Unlimited clicks
    • Up to 100 Smart Pick pages
    • 1 Bio page
    Start free · Creator later

    Growth

    Recommended
    $19/month

    or $190/year - 2 months free

    • Unlimited links
    • Unlimited videos
    • Unlimited clicks
    • Unlimited Smart Pick pages
    • 1 Bio page
    Start free · Growth later

    See full pricing Cancel anytime, no contracts

    See which video is actually converting

    • Free plan, not a trial
    • No credit card
    • Set up in under 2 minutes
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    Free plan
    No credit card

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