Google Kills Its Own URL Shortening Service, goo.gl

Dhir Acharya - Apr 01, 2019

We are saying goodbye to our favorite URL shortener, which is both helpful and fun to use.

Using URL shorteners are not only useful but also fun. In 2009, Google rolled out this its own service of this technology, along with adding a third-party API (Application Programming Interface), the ability to generate QR codes, as well as to link directly to Android and iOS apps. Keanu Reeves even has his own URL shortener in his honor.

However, from April 13, Google will replace goo.gl, its URL shortening service, with Firebase Dynamic Links (FDL). With this new smart URLs, users can send folks anywhere they wish within Android, iOS, and web apps.

After April 13, users can no longer create new goo.gl short links while current users can still do that through the goo.gl console in the next year. After this time, all links will remain accessible, but users cannot access the console itself from April 1, 2019.

As per the tech giant, it recommends users to use FDLs from now onwards, or use other URL shorteners such as Ow.ly or Bitly.