Google Alternatives for URL Shortener: A Detailed Guide
When Google decided to shut down its widely-used URL shortener service, Goo.gl, in 2018, many users were left searching for alternative solutions. URL shorteners are essential for making long web addresses manageable, memorable, and shareable, especially in digital marketing, social media, and messaging platforms. Beyond just making links shorter, these tools provide analytics, tracking, and branding capabilities that help marketers and businesses monitor the performance of their campaigns. Fortunately, the rise of numerous URL shortening services has filled the gap left by Google’s departure.
In this article, we will explore the best alternatives to Google’s URL shortener, comparing their features, pricing, ease of use, and overall benefits to help you find the ideal tool for your needs.
What is a URL Shortener, and Why Do You Need One?
A URL shortener takes a long, often complex web address and converts it into a shorter, more user-friendly version. This makes it easier to share URLs on platforms with character limits, such as Twitter, or when a concise link is more aesthetically pleasing, such as in marketing emails, business cards, or printed materials.
But there’s more to it than just saving space:
Analytics and Tracking: URL shorteners often provide powerful tracking features, allowing users to see how many people clicked the link, where they came from, and what device they used.
Customization: Many URL shorteners allow users to create custom, branded URLs, which increases trust and click-through rates. Instead of a generic shortened link, you can have a link that reflects your brand name.
Link Management: Advanced tools give users control over their shortened links, including options for editing the destination, setting expiration dates, and grouping or organizing links.
With Google’s Goo.gl no longer an option, finding the right alternative depends on your specific needs. Below, we delve into some of the top contenders, each offering unique features and advantages.
URLty (https://urlty.co/)
URLty is a robust alternative to Google’s URL shortener, providing powerful tools for shortening, managing, and tracking URLs. It's ideal for both individual users and businesses due to its user-friendly interface and customizable options.
Custom Branded Links: One of URLty's standout features is its ability to create branded short links. You can replace the generic domain with your own brand name, adding credibility to your links and making them more trustworthy for your audience.
In-Depth Analytics: URLty offers detailed analytics, allowing users to track click-through rates, referrer data, geographic information, and even device types. This makes it a valuable tool for marketers who need insights into the performance of their campaigns.
Easy Link Management: URLty provides a comprehensive dashboard where you can manage all your shortened URLs. You can edit, delete, and organize links, making it easier to keep track of campaigns.
Developer-Friendly API: For developers and businesses that require automation or integration with other applications, URLty offers a fully functional API.
With a combination of free and premium plans, URLty caters to a wide range of users, from casual link shorteners to businesses that require advanced tools and analytics.
Bit.ly
Bit.ly is one of the most popular and well-established URL shorteners. It's known for its user-friendly interface and robust set of features, making it a go-to tool for both individuals and large organizations.
Custom Domains: Bit.ly allows users to create short links with their own branded domain names, which enhances credibility and brand recognition.
Powerful Analytics: With Bit.ly, you get access to a rich set of analytics tools, including click tracking, geographic data, and referrer information. These insights are invaluable for digital marketers looking to gauge the success of their campaigns.
Link Retargeting: One of Bit.ly’s advanced features is the ability to use link retargeting. This means you can place a retargeting pixel on the users who clicked on your link, helping you to re-engage with them later through targeted ads.
Third-Party Integrations: Bit.ly integrates with several marketing tools, such as Hootsuite, HubSpot, and Buffer, streamlining your marketing efforts.
While Bit.ly offers a free version, many of its advanced features, such as custom domain usage and in-depth analytics, are part of its premium plans, making it suitable for businesses that need more than basic link shortening.
TinyURL
TinyURL is one of the oldest and most straightforward URL shorteners available, providing a quick and easy way to shorten links without the need for account creation or registration.
Simple and Free: TinyURL's appeal lies in its simplicity. You can shorten a link instantly without creating an account, making it perfect for one-off uses or those who need a quick solution.
Custom Aliases: Despite its simplicity, TinyURL allows users to customize the short link to include meaningful words or phrases, which can be easier to remember or share.
Reliability: TinyURL has been around for many years and has built a reputation for being reliable. It doesn't offer advanced analytics or link tracking, but it gets the job done when you need a short URL fast.
TinyURL is ideal for casual users or those who don’t need detailed tracking or management features. It’s entirely free, making it an accessible option for everyone.
Rebrandly
If you’re looking for a URL shortener that emphasizes brand visibility, Rebrandly is one of the best options available. It’s a favorite among businesses and marketers who want to create branded short links for their campaigns.
Branded Links: Rebrandly allows you to create branded URLs using custom domains. For example, instead of using “rebrand.ly” in your shortened links, you can use your own domain like “yourbrand.link/offer”.
Advanced Link Management: Rebrandly offers a host of link management features, allowing users to edit the destination of a short link even after it’s been shared, set expiration dates, and organize links into folders.
Detailed Analytics: Like other premium URL shorteners, Rebrandly offers analytics that track clicks, referrer sources, and audience data to help users measure the success of their links.
UTM Builder: For digital marketers, Rebrandly also includes a UTM builder, allowing you to add UTM parameters to your short links, making it easier to track the performance of specific campaigns in Google Analytics.
Rebrandly offers a free version, but many of its premium features are available through paid plans. It’s best suited for businesses that value branding and link management.
Ow.ly (by Hootsuite)
Ow.ly is the URL shortener that’s built into Hootsuite, a popular social media management platform. It’s perfect for marketers who already use Hootsuite, as it integrates seamlessly into the dashboard.
Social Media Focused: Ow.ly is designed for social media marketers, allowing you to shorten links and share them directly from the Hootsuite platform. This integration makes managing social media campaigns more efficient.
Click Tracking and Analytics: Ow.ly provides detailed analytics on your shortened links, including click data, geographic location, and device information.
Security: One of Ow.ly's strengths is its focus on security. You can rest assured that the links you share are safe and secure, which is crucial when sharing sensitive information.
Ow.ly is most beneficial for Hootsuite users, but its integration with one of the leading social media platforms makes it a solid option for those managing multiple social accounts.
T2M
T2M is a lesser-known but highly capable URL shortener that offers unlimited URL shortening and redirection, even on its free plan. It's particularly suited for businesses or individuals who need to shorten many links.
Unlimited Link Creation: Even in its free tier, T2M allows users to create unlimited short links and QR codes, making it a valuable tool for those managing large volumes of URLs.
Comprehensive Analytics: T2M offers detailed analytics reports, including click-through data, referrer information, and geographic insights. This makes it a good alternative to more premium services like Bit.ly.
QR Code Generation: Every short link you create also comes with a corresponding QR code, which can be helpful for print media, product packaging, or offline marketing.
T2M offers both free and paid plans, with its premium plans unlocking more features such as custom domains and enhanced analytics.
Shorte.st
For users looking to make money from sharing links, Shorte.st offers a unique take on URL shortening by integrating a monetization model.
Earn Money: Every time someone clicks on one of your shortened links, Shorte.st displays a brief ad before redirecting to the target URL, and you earn a small amount of money for each click. This makes it a great option for bloggers, influencers, or website owners who share a lot of links.
Basic Analytics: Shorte.st provides basic tracking features, allowing you to see how many clicks your shortened links receive.
Browser Extension: With the Shorte.st browser extension, you can quickly shorten and monetize links as you browse the web.
Shorte.st is best for users who want to generate some passive income through link sharing, though the ads can deter users from clicking your links.
Bl.ink
Bl.ink is a feature-rich URL shortener aimed at businesses and marketers who need advanced link management, analytics, and branding options.
Powerful Analytics: Bl.ink offers real-time analytics with detailed reporting on clicks, geographic data, devices, and referrers. This makes it a powerful tool for marketers who need to track and optimize their campaigns.
Team Collaboration: Bl.ink allows team members to collaborate on link management, making it a good choice for agencies or large organizations.
Automated Features: Bl.ink integrates with other marketing platforms, providing automation tools that streamline the process of shortening and managing links.
Bl.ink offers both free and premium plans, with the paid tiers unlocking more advanced features like branded links and detailed analytics.
Conclusion
Though Google’s URL shortener is no longer available, there are plenty of excellent alternatives that cater to a wide range of needs. Whether you’re a marketer seeking in-depth analytics and branded links, or a casual user looking for a quick and simple solution, there’s a URL shortener out there for you. Platforms like URLty, Bit.ly, and Rebrandly offer robust solutions for businesses, while TinyURL and T2M provide accessible options for individuals or those with simpler needs.
Choosing the right URL shortener depends on your goals. Do you need detailed analytics? Custom-branded URLs? A free and easy solution? Or perhaps you want to make money from your links? By weighing the features, pricing, and benefits of each platform, you can find the perfect tool to make your URLs shorter, smarter, and more effective in your digital strategy.
