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Link types

Cleverbridge provides several link types designed to cater to specific business needs, enabling you to optimize your checkout processes, protect sensitive information, and create tailored purchasing experiences for your customers.

The following URL types are available:

A destination link is a direct link to a Cleverbridge-hosted page you want customers to land on. It can point to any type of destination listed in Link destination, including Checkout 1.0 and Checkout 2.0 flow pages, partner portal, help pages, etc.

A destination link can look as https://www.cleverbridge.com/864/?scope=checkout&cart=97771&coupon=x21zy8&languages=fr. Parameters in such links are visible and unprotected, which makes these links easy to build and debug, but also easy for customers to modify.

If you don't want to share specific product details, for example, IDs, use display URLs or protected URLs instead.

A protected link masks selected parameters and redirects to an underlying destination link. It can point to almost any link destination, except Checkout 2.0 flow pages.

A protected link can look like https://www.cleverbridge.com/864/uurl-gcabkk52r9. Parameters are not distinguishable in the link; the system validates them at runtime. Use such links when the destination exposes alternating product details, confidential information or customer profile data, or when you need rules such as expiry or usage limits.

note

Protected links are not supported by Checkout 2.0. For 2.0 flows, use destination links or contact Client Experience for guidance.

warning

Do not use protected URLs if you plan to create 10,000 or more. This can slow down the checkout experience. Use session URLs (SURLs) or dynamic protected URLs (dynamic UURLs) instead.

A dynamic protected link combines parameter masking available with protected links with configurable rules applied at runtime. Use it when you need campaign-scale flexibility with controls such as expiry dates, usage limits, customer binding, or dynamic pricing and bundles.

A dynamic protected link can look like: https://www.cleverbridge.com/864/?scope=checkout&cart=s4014&urlident=campaign-2025-Q4&urlvaliduntil=2025-12-31&urlusage=2&queryhash=[hash]

Dynamic protected links are valid for a maximum of 12 months, but you can set a different expiry period in the Link Generator.

note

Dynamic protected links are supported for most of the link destination including Checkout 1.0. Checkout 2.0 links do not yet support dynamic protected links. For 2.0 flows, use destination links.

A session link is a one-time, on-demand URL created for a specific customer session. It redirects to an underlying destination link, keeps sensitive parameters out of the URL, and expires after one purchase or 72 hours after the last web hit.

Use session links when you need secure, pre-populated checkout experiences, single sign-on, or dynamic product configuration that should not be exposed in the URL.

Because of the short validity window and single-use behavior, session links are not suitable for newsletters or long-running email campaigns.

note

Session links are supported are supported for most of the link destination including Checkout 1.0. Checkout 2.0 links do not yet support session links.

Session links can only be built via API. For more details, see Generate User Session URL API

Display URLs (PURL)​

A display URL is a customer-friendly, persistent link that you create and manage as part of an MVT campaign. It routes visitors to one or more underlying destination links that cover any link destination including links to the Checkout 1.0 and Checkout 2.0 pages. Display links stays the same while you change targets and weights behind the scenes, which reduces website maintenance and enables testing.

A display URL can look like https://my_company_name.com/campaign_name/available_languages. Parameters are masked, so customers do not see or edit checkout parameters.

Use display URLs when you want short, branded links for your site or campaigns, while retaining the flexibility to A/B or MVT test, route by audience, and update destinations without changing the public link.

Tools to build display URLs​

  • Display URLs are generally built within an MVT campaigns setup.

    1. Create your destination links for each variant or audience (for example, Checkout 2.0, Checkout 1.0, Catalog, Product, Partner Portal).
    2. Create an MVT campaign and add variants that point to those destination links.
    3. Publish and share the campaign link (the display URL). Adjust weights, audiences, and targets as needed.

  • It is also possible to manage saved campaign links in Commerce Assistant (see Saved Links). This method does not support Checkout 2.0 links.

  • There is no public API to create display URLs. For programmatic workflows, generate the underlying destination or protected links via API, then map them to variants in the MVT campaign UI.

A quote link opens a quote page designed for approval-driven purchases. It can be used for initial orders that require a formal price document, as well as for renewal and upgrade quotes handled in the Subscription Management Portal.

You can prefill customer details (existing or new; billing, delivery, licensee), define cart content and quantities, and optionally set custom product info and custom pricing (if allowed by the product). You can manage currencies, add percentage or absolute discounts, choose gross pricing, and set link validity in days (default is 7). You can also add coupon behavior, tracking x-parameters, and additional parameters. Manage links later in the Quote Links grid (edit, open, copy, delete).

note

Checkout 2.0 currently doesn't support quotes. You can still build quote links but they will be based on Checkout 1.0 configuration.

Summary​

In short, choose the link type that fits your goal:

  • Destination: Fast, transparent, and works for all destinations, including Checkout 2.0.
  • Protected / Dynamic protected: Mask parameters and enforce rules such as expiry or usage caps. Not yet available for Checkout 2.0 destinations.
  • Session: One-time, short-lived, API-only links for secure, pre-populated flows. Not yet available for Checkout 2.0 destinations.
  • Display (MVT): Stable, branded URL that routes to multiple destinations and supports testing;
  • Quote links: To make a preliminary offer, suggest a pricing, or let you customers upgrade or renew a subscription at any point of its lifetime.

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