Branding System-Generated Links (API Domain)

Modified on: Tue, 11 Mar, 2025 at 8:14 AM

This guide explains how to customize system-generated links in HighLevel by configuring branded (API) domains at both the Agency and Sub-account levels. Implementing branded domains enhances deliverability and reinforces brand recognition when sending links.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

What is API Domain?
Key Benefits of Configuring API Domain
Agency Level API Domain
Sub-Account Level Domain (Branded Domain)
Troubleshooting
Frequently Asked Questions
Related Articles

What is API Domain?

An API domain allows you to customize the domain used in system-generated links, such as those for forms, surveys, calendar links, trigger links, short links, and review links. This customization ensures that links reflect your chosen domain, enhancing brand consistency and trustworthiness.

Setting a Custom API domain updates the domain shown in the links that are generated for:

Forms
Surveys
Calendar Links
Trigger Links
Shortlinks
Review Links

Configuring an API domain can be done at two levels:

Configuration Level	Description
Agency Level (API Domain)	Applies a default branded domain across all sub-accounts.
Sub-Account Level (Branded Domain)	Applies a branded domain to a specific sub-account, overriding the agency-level domain.

Key Benefits of Configuring API Domain

Increased Deliverability: Customized links are less likely to be flagged as spam, improving email deliverability rates.
Enhanced Brand Recognition: Recipients see your branded domain in links, reinforcing brand identity.
Consistent User Experience: Uniformity in link domains provides a seamless and professional experience for users.

Agency Level API Domain

Setting an API domain at the agency level ensures all system-generated links use a consistent, branded domain, enhancing credibility and deliverability. By setting a default API domain at the agency level, sub-accounts automatically inherit the branding, reducing manual setup efforts while maintaining a professional online presence.

Step 1: Access Agency Domain Settings

Navigate to Agency View → Agency Settings → Company → Whitelabel → Domains.

Step 2: Enter API Domain

Click the "Add Domain" button and the domain connect wizard will launch. Follow the prompts to have the wizard automatically create the CNAME in your domain registrar.

Step 3A: Configure DNS Settings

If you need to create the CNAME manually log in to your domain registrar (e.g., GoDaddy, CloudFlare, Namecheap) in your DNS settings.

Step 3B: Manual Configuration

If manual setup is preferred, create a CNAME record in your domain registrar:

Name: The chosen subdomain (e.g., links).
Target: brand.ludicrous.cloud

IMPORTANT:  Scroll to the bottom of Agency Settings page > Company page and click the "Update Company" button to save your changes.

Sub-Account Level Domain (Branded Domain)

Setting a branded domain at the sub-account level allows individual businesses to customize system-generated links with their own domain, enhancing brand identity and trust. This overrides the agency-level API domain, ensuring that links for forms, surveys, and other features reflect the sub-account’s unique branding.

Step 1: Access Business Profile

In the Sub-Account View, navigate to Settings → Business Profile.

Step 2: Enter Branded Domain

In the Branded Domain field, input the subdomain you want the system to use when creating links for system-generated links (e.g., links.yourclient.com).

Step 3: Add Domain

Click Add Domain to launch the domain connect wizard. Follow the prompts to create the CNAME record in your domain registrar automatically.

Name: The chosen subdomain (e.g., links).
Target: brand.ludicrous.cloud

IMPORTANT:  Scroll to the bottom of the Settings → Business Profile page and click the "Update Information" button to save your changes.

Troubleshooting

Updating Existing API/Branded Domains: If you need to update your API/Branded domain to point to brand.ludicrous.cloud, clear the existing domain field, save the settings, re-enter the new subdomain, and save again.
Development Purposes: The API Domain is intended solely for branding system-generated links and is not suitable for development purposes and is only designed to White Label (or mask) the links generated for the features mentioned in the above article.

For API integrations, refer to HighLevel's API Documentation.

Next Steps: After configuring your branded (API) domain, monitor your system-generated links to ensure they reflect the new domain. Regularly verify DNS settings and update them as necessary to maintain seamless branding across all communications.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can I use my root domain as the API/Branded Domain?
It's recommended to use a subdomain (e.g., links.yoursite.com) to avoid conflicts with existing website configurations.

Q: What happens if I don't configure a sub-account-level branded domain?
The system will default to the agency-level branded domain for that sub-account.

Q: How long does it take for DNS changes to propagate?
DNS propagation can take up to 48 hours, but changes often take effect sooner.