By default a short link does one thing: it redirects. But a single lane in LinkLane can also gate access behind a password, expire on a date, self-destruct after N clicks, refuse to open before a launch time, and carry tags for filtering. All five live on the same PATCH endpoint and the same Protection panel in the editor.
Password protection
Add a password and the lane will route visitors to /unlock/{code} instead of the destination. The destination URL is hidden from the preview endpoint until the password is verified server-side, so it can't be scraped out of HTML. Passwords are stored as bcrypt hashes on the link document, never in plaintext.
Self-destructing links (max_clicks)
Set a click cap and LinkLane will count valid hits server-side. When the limit is reached, subsequent visits route to /unlock with an 'exhausted' state and a friendly message. The URL table shows a live counter — 17/20, 18/20, 19/20 — so you can watch a giveaway disappear in real time.
Scheduled activation
Setting an activates_at timestamp turns the lane into a teaser. Before that moment the URL responds with a 'not yet active' state at the unlock page; after it, the lane just works. Use it for product drops, embargoed press, or marketing campaigns where the link goes live the instant a video does.
Expiration
Set expires_in_days at creation, or pick a date later. After expiry the lane routes to /unlock with an 'expired' state. Expired lanes are kept (not deleted) so the click history stays intact and you can resurrect a code by clearing the expiration.
Tags
Tags are free-form, lowercase, dash-friendly strings — think 'launch', 'reels', 'q2-2026'. Add them in the chip-style multi-tag input on the create modal, then filter the dashboard with the tag bar on top of the URL table. GET /api/tags returns an aggregated count so you can see which tags are pulling weight.
Plan gating
- Free
- Expiration + tags.
- Pro
- + Password, max_clicks, scheduled activation.
- Enterprise
- + Custom domain swap on the same protection panel.