Look. We’ve all been there. You click a link promising the leaked trailer for the next Grand Theft Auto or a "secret" workaround for a software bug, and suddenly, those iconic drums start thumping. Before you can even reach for the mute button, Rick Astley is already sliding across your screen in his trench coat.
Rickrolling is basically the cockroach of the internet. It simply refuses to die. It’s been nearly two decades since the first poor soul on 4chan got baited with the "duckroll" predecessor, yet here we are in 2026, and the prank is as active as ever. Whether you're trying to win a group chat war or just want to mess with a colleague who takes themselves too seriously, knowing how to create rick roll link setups that actually work is a bit of an art form.
Honestly, the old "copy-paste the YouTube URL" trick doesn't work anymore. People recognize dQw4w9WgXcQ like they recognize their own mother’s phone number. You’ve gotta be sneakier.
The Classic Mask: Using URL Shorteners
If you want to create rick roll link baits that don't immediately scream "prank," you have to hide the destination. Most people see a raw YouTube link and their "bait-sense" tingles. Using a shortener is the easiest way to strip away the metadata and the recognizable ID.
TinyURL is still the king for this. It’s fast. It’s free. It doesn't require an account. You just take the link to the official video—or a 4K remaster if you’re feeling fancy—and plug it in. The "Custom Alias" feature is your best friend here. If you're sending a link to a gamer, make the alias something like gta6-leaked-footage-2026. If it's for a student, maybe bio-exam-answers-pdf.
Bitly is another heavy hitter, though they’ve gotten a bit more corporate lately. The advantage of Bitly is the analytics. You can actually see how many people fell for it. There’s a certain level of satisfaction in seeing "14 clicks" on a link you sent to a single person who swears they "didn't click it."
Better Alternatives for 2026
- Dub.co: This is great because it looks professional. It doesn't have the "scammy" vibe that some older shorteners have.
- Short.io: Good for using custom domains if you really want to go the extra mile.
- r.mtdv.me: This is a dedicated Rickroll generator. It’s specifically designed to create fake news articles or video previews that redirect to the song after a few seconds.
Disguising Your Links in Plain Sight
Sometimes a shortened link is too suspicious. If I see a random bit.ly link in a Discord DM, I’m 90% sure I’m about to see Rick Astley or a virus.
Hyperlinking is the way to go. Most modern apps like Slack, Discord, and even Gmail let you hide a URL behind text. Instead of sending the link, you write a sentence like, "Check out this [recipe for the best lasagna ever]," and embed the link there.
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On Reddit, the syntax is [Text](URL). It’s simple, but it works because people trust the context of the sentence more than the underlying code.
The "Hidden" Redirect Trick
There are some weirder ways to do this. For example, some YouTube channels have legacy handles that redirect to other videos. There was a famous case where visiting a specific channel URL would automatically bounce you to "Never Gonna Give You Up" because of a redirect glitch. While these are often patched, searching for "active redirect links" on forums like r/rickroll can find you current ones that bypass the "standard" YouTube look.
Taking it to the Next Level: QR Codes and Physical Pranks
We live in a world of QR codes now. We scan them for menus, for parking, for everything. This is a goldmine. You can create rick roll link QR codes and put them... well, anywhere.
I once saw a guy print out "Missing Dog" posters with a QR code for "More Photos." You can guess where that went.
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There are plenty of free QR generators online. You just paste your masked Rickroll link, download the image, and you're set. If you want to be truly devious, print it out and stick it over a real QR code at a bus stop. Actually, don't do that—it might be illegal depending on where you live. Stick to the office fridge instead.
Why We Still Do This (The Psychology of the Roll)
Why is this song still funny? Rick Astley himself has embraced it, which helps. He even Rickrolled the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade once. It’s the ultimate "low-stakes" prank. It’s not a jump scare that gives you a heart attack, and it’s not a virus that steals your bank info. It’s just a catchy 80s pop song.
The key to a successful Rickroll is the build-up. You have to create a "need" for the information you're pretending to give. If you just post the link randomly, nobody cares. But if you spend ten minutes in a group chat talking about how you found a secret 10% discount code for a popular store, people will click.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Using the original link: Just don't. Everyone knows the URL.
- Over-selling: If you say "OMG YOU HAVE TO SEE THIS RIGHT NOW," it looks like bait. Be casual. "Hey, found that thing you were looking for: [link]."
- Forgetting the thumbnail: Some apps like Discord will show a preview of the video. Use a link shortener that disables "Open Graph" previews, or use a redirect service like
r.mtdv.methat shows a fake preview.
Actionable Steps for Your Next Prank
If you’re ready to get started, here’s the most effective workflow:
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- Find a high-quality version of the video. Use the official one or a 4K remaster to ensure the audio is crisp.
- Use a redirect service. Sites like
r.mtdv.meallow you to set a custom title, description, and thumbnail that appears in the link preview. - Target the right moment. Wait for someone to ask a question that your link can "answer."
- Check your link. Open it in an Incognito window first to make sure it doesn't show a YouTube ad (which ruins the surprise) or a "Redirecting..." warning page.
The best Rickrolls are the ones that feel helpful right up until the moment they aren't. Happy hunting.