• Google is closing its URL shortening service

    From TechnologyDaily@1337:1/100 to All on Fri Jul 19 14:00:06 2024
    Google is closing its URL shortening service

    Date:
    Fri, 19 Jul 2024 13:56:26 +0000

    Description:
    Google has already stopped accepting new goo.gl links, but existing links
    will stop working from August 2025.

    FULL STORY ======================================================================

    Googles URL shortening service, goo.gl, will stop functioning altogether from August 25, 2025, the company has revealed.

    In an announcement on its developer blog, Google noted after August 2025, goo.gl links will return a 404 error, rendering them inactive and unusable, and while users have been given ample warning, those using previously generated goo.gl links are being urged to update them and find suitable alternatives.

    Starting August 23, 2024, goo.gl links will start showing a warning message
    to notify users that they will no longer work. Google is warning developers that the interstitial page may disrupt the functionality of their links, especially those involving 302 redirects. goo.gl links will stop working in 2025

    The news marks the final stage in Googles drawn-out deprecation of the service, which was announced in 2018 and started with effect from 2019.

    Google initially announced the discontinuation of its URL shortening service in 2018, ending new link creation a year later in 2019. When the service finally draws to a close, it will have been more than six years since the companys initial announcement.

    Article authors and engineers Sumit Chandel and Eldhose Mathokkil Babu wrote: Today, the time has come to turn off the serving portion of Google URL Shortener.

    Developers can suppress the interstitial page by adding the query param si=1 to existing goo.gl links, however this is a short-term fix and only a replacement service will ensure continued functionality.

    Looking ahead, Google recommends that previous goo.gl customers use services such as Bitly and Ow.ly. When the company first announced the change, it said that it would be focusing its efforts on Firebase Dynamic Links, however with those also set for an August 2025 deprecation , developers are better off seeking services from another provider altogether. More from TechRadar Pro Check out the best laptops for programming Hackers found abusing URL protection tools to hide phishing links Weve rounded up a list of the best VPNs to protect your online footprint



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    Link to news story: https://www.techradar.com/pro/google-is-closing-its-url-shortening-service


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