Google has announced that it is shutting down its URL shortening service, goo.gl. The company says that new and anonymous users will no longer be able to create links through the goo.gl service starting April 13, but existing users will be able to use the service for another year, after which it will be completely discontinued.
Firebase Software Engineer Michael Hermanto says the company introduced its URL shortener in 2009, and since then the ways people share information online have changed, and additional extended URL shorteners have grown in popularity. He notes that Google is refocusing its efforts, replacing that service with Firebase Dynamic Links (FDL), which gives users access to specific iOS, Android, or web apps.
Existing users will be able to create shortened URL addresses and export data from the goo.gl service until March 30, 2019. After this period, short links will continue to redirect users to their destinations, but will not be transferred to the new Firebase service.
