Manage Links
Update a hosted link, replace its file, organize it, configure access and expiry, or delete it from the dashboard.
Open a link's controls
- Open the dashboard.
- Select the correct Personal or team workspace.
- Find the link.
- Use Manage for settings. Pro and Business workspaces also have an Analytics action for visitor data; Free workspaces do not show it.
The Linkyhost subdomain chosen at publication is the permanent identity of that link. The Path Segment field controls its path on a connected custom domain; it does not rename the original *.linkyhost.com address.
Available settings
| Setting | Plan/content | Effect |
|---|---|---|
| Path segment | All links | Sets example.com/path when a custom domain is attached |
| Custom domain | Pro | Connects the link to a domain in the same workspace |
| Root domain content | Pro | Makes one connected link answer at example.com/ |
| Password | Pro, PDF/HTML | Requires a password before the content loads |
| Prevent download & print | Pro, PDF | Uses a restricted PDF viewer |
| Hide banner | Pro | Removes the Linkyhost visitor-facing footer |
| Auto-expiry | Pro | Takes the link offline at a selected future time |
| Folder | Pro | Organizes the link within its current workspace |
| Link preview | Pro | Sets the shared title, description, and thumbnail |
After changing a path or domain, select Save Changes and test the resulting visitor URL.
Customize the link preview
After publishing, select Customize link preview below Copy link to jump straight to these settings. You can also open Manage → Link preview later.
In Manage → Link preview, enter a title and a short description. Select Upload thumbnail to choose a JPG, PNG, or WebP smaller than 4 MB and up to 4,096 pixels on each side. Linkyhost checks the image, fits it inside a 1200 × 630 card without cutting off content, and saves the thumbnail immediately. It belongs to the existing link and does not use another link allowance. Replace thumbnail and Remove image also save immediately.
You can use a public HTTPS image URL instead. The preview updates as you type; select Save Changes to publish text or URL edits.
Select Choose a hosted image to reuse one of your public images in the same workspace, or Use this image when managing an image link. On a public PDF link, Use PDF first page creates a cover from page one (PDFs up to 20 MB). Hosted images use the same 4 MB and static-image requirements as thumbnail uploads. Protected, temporary, expiring, and unavailable source files are excluded. The generated image passes the thumbnail checks and saves immediately as a separate copy; replacing or deleting the source file does not update it. Generate it again to refresh the thumbnail.
Until you add custom settings or a thumbnail, the editor shows Using original preview. This means the file's original presentation is still in use; no generic sample card is presented as the actual result. Custom designs retained after a downgrade are labelled as inactive.
For a customized card, a blank title uses the file name. A blank image URL uses your uploaded thumbnail, or the Linkyhost image if you have not uploaded one. Remove the uploaded thumbnail and clear all three fields to restore the link's original presentation. The saved details also set the viewer's browser-tab title. The file and its URL stay the same. Link-preview customization, including thumbnail uploads, requires Pro in the link's workspace. Free users see a preview and an upgrade action. After a downgrade, saved settings are retained but custom cards and uploaded thumbnails stop being served until Pro is restored.
Chat and social apps choose their own card layout and may cache an older preview. Messaging and social apps cannot unlock password-protected files, so they do not receive the custom title, description, or thumbnail. Expired, removed, and unavailable links do not expose the card.
Replace a file without changing the URL
Pro can replace supported single files and complete website ZIPs:
- Open Manage for the link.
- Select Update PDF, Replace File, or Update website for a hosted website.
- Choose a compatible new file. For Update website, select a ZIP containing the complete updated static website.
- Review or set the PDF password option if it appears.
- Confirm the replacement and wait for publication checks to finish.
- Refresh the public URL and verify the new content.
Compatibility rules include PDF → PDF, HTML → HTML, and supported image → supported image. Existing websites accept a complete replacement ZIP through Update website; files omitted from the new ZIP stop being served after the update is published. Validation and publication checks run before switching the website to the new build, so a failed website update leaves the current website live. Replacement keeps the URL, visit history, and custom-domain settings. Earlier files are removed after a successful replacement; this is not version history or rollback.
Keep a backup before replacement. Linkyhost does not retain earlier versions.
Password-protect PDF or HTML
- Open the link's management page.
- Find Password protection.
- Enter a non-empty password and select Apply password.
- Test the public URL in a private window.
Visitors must unlock the link before the private stored object is served. You can change or remove the password later without changing the URL or analytics.
Password protection is an access gate for the hosted URL; it does not add encryption to a downloaded copy of the PDF. Share the password separately from the link and do not reuse an account password.
Restrict PDF download and print
The Pro Prevent download & print option replaces the browser's normal PDF controls with a restricted viewer and blocks common save, copy, print, and right-click actions.
This is a deterrent, not digital-rights management. A viewer can still take screenshots or photograph the screen. Use it together with password protection when appropriate.
Set an expiry
Choose Never, 1 hour, 24 hours, 7 days, 30 days, or a custom date up to one year away. When a link expires, visitors see an expired response and the file is scheduled for permanent deletion. Clearing an existing expiry makes the link persistent again if it has not already been deleted.
Seven-day website previews have a fixed expiry that cannot be edited.
Organize links with folders
Folders are available in Pro and Business personal or team workspaces.
- Create a folder from the Folders dashboard section.
- Move a link from its action menu.
- A folder and link must belong to the same workspace.
- Deleting a folder moves its links back to All Links; it does not delete them.
Delete a link
Use the link action menu, select Delete, verify the URL shown in the confirmation, and confirm. The link and all associated stored files are permanently deleted. For a website, this includes its extracted asset tree.
Team members can edit or delete links they created. Team admins and the owner can manage any team link. Read Teams for the complete role model.