Tinyarro.ws, and qoiob.com use Unicode characters to achieve the shortest URLs possible, since more condensed URLs are possible with a given number of characters compared to those using a standard Latin alphabet.[citation needed] Services may record inbound statistics, which may be viewed publicly by others.[5] Expiry and time-limited services[edit] Many providers of shortened URLs claim that they will "never expire" (there is always the implied small print: so long as we do not decide to discontinue this service—there is no contract to be breached by a free service, regardless of "promises"—and remain in business). Examples of this are rickrolling, redirecting to shock sites, or to affiliate websites.
Typically, data: and javascript: URLs are not supported for security reasons. Other Helpful Macros If you have sites that you frequently link out to or have partnerships with, you might want to roll up the click events by domain name. However, in the case of Eventbrite we were pleasantly surprised. Well done! Now you should have cross-domain tracking set up for users going from your website over to Eventbrite.
The reason people use these services is because they provide much more than just shortening links. You can also add a “bitly sidebar” to your browser. This method can create some clever domains and also have the advantage of using the domain extension itself as part of the word or words you're trying to convey.
The key to protecting your SEO, then, is to choose a link shortening service that uses a 301 redirect. The second condition makes sure that we’re not capturing any relative links that typically looks like href="/some-url-path". To store unique session information—like click IDs or user hashes—use the affiliate click ID or unique value parameters instead. Get everything hooked up Some services, such as Bitly, let anyone create a vanity URL shortener. For consistency, use your URL shortener whenever possible, rather than mixing your own custom domain with other generic ones. Twitter will use this to make your timeline better.
If the shorthand link is found to be associated with a URL, the URL is fetched, otherwise an error message is returned.[7] The patent was filed in September 2000; while the patent was issued in 2005, US patent applications are made public within 18 months of filing. In addition to using bit.ly as a tool integrated into third-party tools you can also use it directly at the bit.ly website. Use alternate extensions "hacks": Many country code extensions can be used to help form your company name by using the characters before and after the dot to form a shortened for similar sounding version of your name. It's also important to note that some countries only allow registrations on what's call the third level — .co.uk for example. That helps you track to see who follows links that originate with you, which means you can track your viral marketing impact - or just give yourself an ego boost. Shortcomings[edit] Short URLs often circumvent the intended use of top-level domains for indicating the country of origin; domain registration in many countries requires proof of physical presence within that country, although a redirected URL has no such guarantee.