FAQ · Pathlet

Getting started

What does Pathlet cost?

Creating an account and short links is free. Pathlet is funded by advertising shown on step pages, a share of which is paid to creators.

Which URLs can I shorten?

Any public http:// or https:// address that complies with the Acceptable Use Policy. Other schemes, links containing passwords, IP addresses, internal network names and blocked domains are rejected.

Can I pick my own short code?

Yes. Custom aliases can use letters, numbers and single hyphens (3-50 characters). Words used by the site itself are reserved, and a code is never reassigned once used.

Do I have to verify my email?

Yes. Email verification is required before your first sign-in, so that payout and security notices reach you.

Visitor flows

What is the difference between Standard and Extended?

Standard has 2 step pages and a final unlock screen (30 seconds in total). Extended has 4 step pages and a final unlock screen (50 seconds). Extended has a higher target benchmark because it shows more ad space.

Do visitors have to click ads?

Never. Visitors only wait for the countdown and press Continue. Buttons are never placed beside or underneath advertising, and every ad area is labelled.

What happens if a visitor reloads a step?

The step resumes with the remaining time. Reloading does not restart the countdown, and excessive reloading is treated as low-quality traffic.

Can someone skip the steps?

Earnings and payouts

Is the benchmark what I will be paid?

No. The benchmark (currently $2.00 Standard, $3.00 Extended per 1,000 qualified visits) is a planning target. You are paid your share of the advertising revenue actually received for the period.

Why are some visits filtered?

Automated traffic, repeat visits in a short window, your own visits and a few other patterns are filtered. Each filtered visit shows the reason in your analytics. See the Traffic Quality Policy.

When can I withdraw?

Recognised earnings are held for 7 days, then become available. You can request a withdrawal once your available balance reaches $10.00.

What if a payout is rejected?

Privacy and safety

What do you record about visitors?

A random first-party cookie that keeps their step session together, a daily-rotating hash of the network address, device class, referring domain and the time of each step. Raw IP addresses are not stored.

How do I report a harmful link?

Use the report form or the “Report” link on any step page. No account is needed.

How do I delete my account?

From Settings in your dashboard, or with a privacy request. Some financial records must be kept for legal reasons in anonymised form.

Questions, answered plainly.

Getting started

Visitor flows

Earnings and payouts

Privacy and safety

Create your first Pathlet link in under a minute.