At Last, Google URL Shortener Opens to Public (and Goo.gl Extensions for Your Browsers)

At last, Google URL shortener (goo.gl) is open to public. It has been around for some time but not easily accessible by public.

Now you can visit http://goo.gl and paste your long URL to get the shorten URL in the format: http://goo.gl/blahblah

Goo.gl will remember the short URL generated and provide you a simple report such as clicks, referrers, and visitor profile (countries, browsers, platforms).

By the way, Google URL shortener also generates a QR Code for your shorten URL so that you can scan and input the URL into your supported mobile devices (e.g. Android phones).

Why use Google URL shortener? Because it is stable, fast, secured and Google! According to watchmouse’s report, goog.gl has 100% (almost) uptime and best performance among other URL shorteners.

The generated shorten URLs will never expire and cannot be deleted.

Goo.gl extension for your web browser

Here are the Google URL shortener extension suggestions for your browser:

• Mozilla Firefox: goo.gl lite
• Google Chrome: goo.gl URL Shortener
• Opera: Google URL Shortener widget

My two cents

Glad that Google has finally made it easy to use goo.gl but API only coming later. We need more developers to apply the URL shortener service in their software. And, WordPress plugin please?

Which URL shortener do you use most? Why? Will you switch to goo.gl?