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Smart links: live and closed destinations

Send customers to the right destination for the current campaign state.

2 min read

Screenshots show the real application in an isolated demo environment with fictional example data. Setup notices and controls may differ by environment, plan and role. Click an image to view it full-size, and always use the values generated in your own workspace.

What a smart link does

A smart link checks the campaign’s current state and uses its configured live or closed destination. It is useful when the same email link should lead to your offer while it is live and an explanatory page after it closes.

This is a routing feature, not a checkout gate. Someone who knows your direct store URL can still visit it; your store must independently enforce the promotion.

Configure and use it

  1. 1Open the campaign publishing/behavior settings and enter the live URL and closed URL.
  2. 2Use HTTPS destinations that you control and avoid credentials embedded in a URL. Save the settings.
  3. 3Copy the generated smart link or generated email HTML. Preserve the recipient/deadline parameters when the workflow needs them.
  4. 4Test it before the start, while live, after expiry and while paused using a test campaign.
Timer behavior configuration with publishing and advanced timing controls
In the application The behavior screen contains the supported destination and advanced timing controls. Review the applicable settings and save before testing your public link. View full-size screenshot (opens in a new tab)

Preserve identity through the journey

Evergreen consistency relies on keeping the same recipient identity across image, link and destination. If your page builder, link shortener or redirect drops query parameters, the arrival may become an anonymous visitor. Test the final URL and not only the first redirect.

Avoid loops and misleading destinations

Do not configure the smart link as its own destination. Avoid a live destination that redirects back to the smart link indefinitely. A good closed page explains that the offer ended and gives a legitimate next step, rather than quietly presenting the same expired deal as still available.

Related articles

Evergreen timers and stable recipient identityGive each person their own window without accidentally restarting it or sharing it with everyone. What customers see when a timer expiresChoose a message, zeros, hidden timer or expiry image, and pair it with the right destination. Hard stops, overrides, phases, urgency and extensionsUse advanced timer behavior deliberately, with clear limits and consistent offer rules. Embed a live countdown on a websitePlace the generated website code, preserve identity and diagnose builder or script restrictions.