URL Shortening Help
Why would anyone want to shorten a URL for hyperlinks when it's so easy to copy and paste URLs into documents and on-line fields? Think of short URLs as being an alias or nickname for a longer URL. Both URLs go to the exact same website with the exact same speed, but one requires less characters so typing or copy/pasting requires less effort. Short URLs are helpful for updates on social network sites like Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter, where users are given a small range of characters to provide updates on what they can be doing or are interested in. Most shorten URL tools are free and only require an account for additional data. Short URLs may be used to promote a blog, send interesting on-line articles, and provide easy access to photos or videos on any website.
bit.ly is just one of the best known URL Shortener; Get Source, shorten tool since it's what Twitter originally used to automatically shorten long hyperlinks and is the type of link created by "Add This" social buttons on blogs and article sites. Although Twitter no long automatically shortens links for users, bit-ly is still popular since it allows tracking statistics of their short link use. No matter which social network tool the link is utilized in, it's going to return the number of clicks for the link and display it on the computer where the link was originally made for a short time on a user without an account. Users that have set-up an account can get a longer-period history and see reports from any computer by logging into their account. To make a short link, simply enter the longer URL in the field marked and click the Shorten button. After the new link is displayed, move onto it as well as a copy to clipboard feature will appear to save a copy to be pasted into social network text fields. To know more, a tour feature is accessible at the bottom of the bit.ly home page. The tour is a series of information pages on features to shorten, share, track, and manage links and advanced tools. All tour options display related screen captures.
Other applications for making using the internet or social networks easier may include a shorten URL utility the user sets or is automatically created. Some to check out include HooteSuite (ow.ly), FriendFeed (ff.im), and StumbleUpon (su.pr ). Most shall have the utility on the home page for logged in accounts. In any other case, check their Help, FAQ, or About option of the application to find out if it includes this utility or recommends using another tool.
It's very likely that everybody on Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter has seen short URLs in received updates and clicked on the link because it cam from a trusted source. Check out the shorten URL option that sounds best for networking or any other linking needs and start using shorter URLs too! It may make socializing via the web so much easier.
