Google announced that it will officially shut down the Goo.gl short URL service on August 25, 2025. When a large number of "https://goo.gl/*" links become invalid simultaneously, the massive online information links will be instantly broken, bringing an impact similar to a small "digital black hole".
Goo.gl's Final Chapter
Starting from August 23, 2024, Google will insert reminder pages on some Goo.gl web pages, announcing the impending service termination. The official statement indicates that drastically reduced usage and product strategy adjustments are the main reasons, with data showing that over 99% of Goo.gl links have had no activity in the past month.
On the same day the short URL service stops, Google will also discontinue Firebase Dynamic Links, reflecting how large platforms quickly adjust their product lifecycles.
Past Data Becomes "Dead Links"
Many past reports, marketing materials, and academic citations have long relied on Goo.gl links. Foreign media quoted an unnamed CIO of an investment management company who said:
The millions of reports and press release links we published through Goo.gl years ago have now become dead links, which is a heavy blow to our brand asset accumulation.
Short URL Backup Plan
The primary task is to inventory and replace Goo.gl links, especially on enterprise websites, media press releases, and automated email exposure pages. Links generated through applications like Google Maps can still function normally and can be temporarily left unchanged, while other links should be immediately migrated.
When selecting a new service, evaluate from five aspects: data analysis features, custom domain support, API integration, security mechanisms, and operational stability.
Commonly Used Short URLs Compilation
Below is a compilation of more trusted options in the market for quick comparison:
Enterprise Level: Bitly, Rebrandly, Short.io
Free Plans: TinyURL, Shorter.me, Local Service PicSee
Self-Hosted/Open Source: Yourls, Polr
If readers are preparing to replace links, they can start by testing free services and then gradually introduce enterprise-level solutions with branding and tracking features. If the technical team is sufficient, self-hosted systems can also reduce external dependencies and ensure complete control of data and traffic.
