As if there were not already enough choices for shortening those long URLs, another one has launched. And if it was not for the company launching it, we would probably not be paying it much attention. But this is no run-of-the-mail-under-the-radar kind of unveiling. This is Google’s new URL shortener, Goo.gl and it is not the least bit short on sweet features.
As we said, there are plenty of URL shorteners already on the market. From the uber popular Bit.ly to the simple, yet customizable Doiop, they are a true godsend to anyone looking to save space and improve the aesthetic of long, complicated, and ugly URLs. For tweeters especially, these tools are becoming ubiquitous. To play in the URL shortening game today, a start-up has to bring something big to the table. What the new Goo.gl brings is the backing of search behemoth Google, its bag of innovations and tricks, and a pretty tall promise to be the “stablest, most secure, and fastest URL shortener on the web.” Can it live up the hype?
Released to the public today, Goo.glis easy to use. Just like the other URL shorteners, you simply type or paste a long URL into the form and click on the “shorten” button. Goo.gl will then compress that long link into something much shorter and more easily manageable. In this respect, it is not much different than its myriad of competitors. However, this is Google offspring we are talking about. So you know that the features do not end there.
Sign in with your Gmail / iGoogle account information, and Goo.glbecomes your own URL shortening space. It keeps track of all of the shortened URLs you create, complete with the original link, date created, and even the number of clicks it has spawned. Sure, you are probably thinking that other shorteners do this too. But let’s be honest. None of them integrate with your Google presence. If you are already using Gmail, Google Docs, or any of the growing suite of Google applications, this is just another feather in your cap. Not to mention, there is already talk of Google integrating its new shortener with the power of its Analytics programs. To be sure, ste standalone Goo.gl site is probably just the tip of the iceberg here. You can bet that the competition is already be taking notice!
In the months ahead, it will be interesting to see what comes of Google’s latest offering. In our opinion, it is already a more auspicious debut than that of Google Wave or even Buzz. Give Goo.gl a try and let us know what you think!