Google offers new service to make URLs shorter using the Google Toolbar

Google has launched a new update for the Google Toolbar and FeedBurner. It’s a service that allows the shortening of URLs and is particularly useful for micro blogging services such as Twitter to make links easier to share due to character limitations on most of these services. The “Google URL Shortener” will only be available through FeedBurner and the Google Toolbar at the moment which limits its use. However, Google plans on making it available to a wider audience if it proves that people find it useful. The service is built on Google’s global infrastructure which has a lot of benefits such as stability, security and speed to give faster resolution of URLs and better protection against phishing and spam.

As most people know, URL shortening has been around for quite some time and it’s not surprising that with the popularity of social media Google has jumped on the bandwagon. However, there are other services which offer similar or better services than goo.gl such as bit.ly which has been around longer and offers link tracking which at the moment goo.gl does not. So it looks like Google may have a bit of an uphill struggle considering the current competition.

Adam Wood
SEO Programmer