Google's goo.gl link shortening service is being shut down and replaced with FDL

Link shortening is something I literally do at least once a day and it’s always goo.gl that I use. Google has announced they are making the move to shut down its goo.gl link shortening service to concentrate on FDL. According to Google, Firebase Dynamic Links (FDL) are smarter URL’s that direct users to any location in mobile apps. FDL should also not be considered a direct replacement to goo.gl as it is only beneficial to developers.

To refocus our efforts, we’re turning down support for goo.gl over the coming weeks and replacing it with Firebase Dynamic Links (FDL). FDLs are smart URLs that allow you to send existing and potential users to any location within an iOS, Android or web app. We’re excited to grow and improve the product going forward. While most features of goo.gl will eventually sunset, all existing links will continue to redirect to the intended destination.

Google says consumers can use FDL but also recommend services such as Bitly and Ow.ly. From the looks of it, FDL is going to focus more on developer use than consumer use. After March 30, 2019, all goo.gl links will redirect properly but will not be migrated to FDL but you will be able to export the data. Also, April 13, 2018, is the day you will no longer be able to create goo.gl links.

Starting April 13, 2018, anonymous users and users who have never created short links before today will not be able to create new short links via the goo.gl console. If you are looking to create new short links, we recommend you use Firebase Dynamic Links or check out popular services like Bitly and Ow.ly as an alternative.
If you have existing goo.gl short links, you can continue to use all features of goo.gl console for a period of one year, until March 30, 2019, when we will discontinue the console. You can manage all your short links and their analytics through the goo.gl console during this period.
URL Shortener has been a great tool that we’re proud to have built. As we look towards the future, we’re excited about the possibilities of Firebase Dynamic Links, particularly when it comes to dynamic platform detection and links that survive the app installation process. We hope you are too!

What do you think of Google’s move? How often do you use a link shortening service? Let us know in the comments below or on Google+, Twitter, or Facebook.

Source: Google