Your Linkyoo handle is more than just a web address — it is the unique identity that connects your business to your customers. It lives on your QR codes, your shared links, your printed menus, and potentially on dozens of customer phones and social media bios.
Before you change your linkname (sometimes called a handle or short URL), read this guide so you know exactly what will break, what is safe, and what you need to update.
What is a Linkyoo Handle?
Your handle is the short name at the end of your Linkyoo URL:
https://linkyoo.me/your-handleWhen you first create your business page, you choose this handle. It appears on every QR code you generate and every link you share with customers.
What Changes Immediately
1. Your Old URL Returns a 404
The moment you save a new handle, the old URL — https://linkyoo.me/old-handle
— stops working and returns a “Page not found” error. There is no automatic
redirect.
Important: Unlike some platforms, Linkyoo does not currently forward the old handle to the new one. Anyone visiting the old link will see a 404 page.
2. Your Old QR Codes Stop Working
Every QR code you have ever generated encodes the old URL. Once the handle changes, those QR codes become permanently broken. This includes:
- QR codes printed on physical menus
- QR codes on table tent cards
- QR codes on flyers, posters, or packaging
- QR codes shared in WhatsApp messages or email campaigns
You will need to regenerate all QR codes from your new Linkyoo page and replace every printed copy.
3. Your Old Handle Becomes Available to Others
Your previous handle is immediately released into the pool of available names. Another business could claim it within minutes of your change.
If that happens, customers who still have your old QR code or link will land on a completely different business page.
What You Need to Update Manually
After a handle change, go through the checklist below and update each item.
Printed Materials
| Item | Action |
|---|---|
| Physical menus | Reprint with new QR code |
| Table tent cards | Replace or resticker |
| Business cards | Reprint or add a sticker |
| Flyers & posters | Replace all copies |
| Packaging / stickers | Replace QR code labels |
Digital Profiles
| Platform | What to Update |
|---|---|
| Instagram bio | Replace the link |
| Facebook page | Update “About” section URL |
| WhatsApp Business | Update catalogue / bio link |
| Google Business Profile | Update the website / menu link |
| TripAdvisor / Zomato | Update menu link |
| Your own website | Update any “View Menu” buttons |
Shared Links
- WhatsApp broadcast messages sent with the old link will no longer work
- Email newsletters or SMS campaigns containing the old URL will return 404
- Any saved shortcuts or home-screen bookmarks on customer phones will break
What Is NOT Affected
| Item | Status |
|---|---|
| Your menu items, prices, photos | ✓ Preserved |
| Your business description & branding | ✓ Preserved |
| Your analytics history | ✓ Preserved (tied to your account, not the URL) |
| Your subscription plan | ✓ Preserved |
| Your customer feedback / reviews | ✓ Preserved |
Your business content is fully safe. Only the public-facing address changes.
Before You Change Your Handle — A Checklist
Follow these steps to minimise disruption to your customers:
- Choose the new handle carefully. Once you switch, the old one is gone.
- Generate new QR codes first. Download and save them before updating any printed material.
- Update digital profiles. Go through every social media account, Google Business, and website link.
- Plan a reprint window. If you have physical menus or signage, schedule a reprint before announcing the change.
- Inform regular customers. A WhatsApp broadcast or social media post explaining the new link can prevent confusion.
- Check all automated messages. If you use WhatsApp Business templates or email automations with your old URL, update them immediately.
Good Reasons to Change Your Handle
Changing a handle is a big operational move, but sometimes it is the right call:
- Rebranding — your business name has changed
- Correcting a typo or abbreviation in the original handle
- Aligning across platforms so all your social handles match
- Removing numbers/hyphens after a cleaner name became available
How to Change Your Handle
- Log in to the Linkyoo editor
- Go to Business Settings
- Find the Linkname / Handle field
- Type your desired new handle (availability is checked in real time)
- Confirm the change
You will see a warning summarising the effects described in this guide before you confirm.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will Linkyoo redirect the old URL to the new one?
Not currently. Old links and QR codes will return a 404. This is a planned
feature for future versions.
Can I get my old handle back?
Only if no one else has claimed it. Handles are released immediately upon
change.
My QR codes are on printed menus — do I have to reprint everything?
Yes. Any physical QR code pointing to the old handle will be permanently broken.
We recommend generating the new QR code first and planning a controlled reprint.
Does changing my handle affect my Google search ranking?
Yes, in the short term. Search engines have indexed the old URL. Until they
re-crawl and index the new one, your page may not appear in search results.
Updating your Google Business Profile quickly helps speed this up.
Can I change my handle back immediately?
Yes, as long as no one has claimed the old handle in the meantime. Navigate back
to Business Settings and re-enter your old handle.
Summary
| What Breaks | What Is Safe |
|---|---|
| Old URL (404) | All your content |
| All old QR codes | Analytics & history |
| All shared links | Subscription plan |
| Social media bios | Business branding |
| Printed materials | Customer feedback |
Changing your handle is permanent with immediate effect. Plan ahead, update everything in one window, and communicate the change to your customers to avoid a disrupted customer experience.
Have questions? Reach out to our support team from the Linkyoo editor.