LinkShrink vs goo.gl (Google URL Shortener)
Google discontinued goo.gl completely on August 25, 2025. All existing goo.gl links now return 404. Here's what you get with LinkShrink instead.
| Feature | LinkShrink (Free) | goo.gl (Shut Down) |
|---|---|---|
| Service status | ✓ Active & maintained | ✗ Shut down Aug 2025 |
| Existing links work | ✓ Until TTL expires | ✗ All links return 404 |
| No signup required | ✓ Yes | ✗ Required Google account |
| Privacy-first | ✓ Zero tracking | ✗ Tracked via Google Analytics |
| REST API access | ✓ Free, no key | ✗ Required API key |
| Custom aliases | ✓ Unlimited, free | ✗ Not supported |
| QR codes | ✓ Built-in API | ✗ Not available |
| Link expiry (TTL) | ✓ 1 min to 90 days | ✗ No control |
| Password protection | ✓ Free | ✗ Not available |
| Link editing | ✓ Update destination URL | ✗ Not available |
What Happened to goo.gl?
A timeline of events and why developers need a permanent alternative.
March 2018: Deprecated
Google announced the deprecation of goo.gl, stopping new users from creating short links. Existing links continued working for 7 more years.
August 2025: Permanent Shutdown
All 3.6 billion goo.gl links stopped resolving. Websites, documentation, printed materials, and QR codes pointing to goo.gl links broke overnight.
Broken Links Everywhere
Stack Overflow answers, README files, academic papers, and marketing materials all contained goo.gl links. Years of shared knowledge became unreachable.
The Lesson: Own Your Links
Never depend on a big-tech URL shortener. Use a service with transparent TTL, deletion tokens, and no vendor lock-in. LinkShrink gives you full control.
Replace goo.gl in 30 Seconds
No Google account. No API key. Just one HTTP call.
# Google URL Shortener (shut down, required API key) # curl -H "Content-Type: application/json" \ # -d '{"longUrl":"https://example.com"}' \ # "https://www.googleapis.com/urlshortener/v1/url?key=YOUR_KEY" # LinkShrink — no key, no account, works today curl -X POST https://linkshrink.dev/api/v1/shorten \ -H "Content-Type: application/json" \ -d '{"url":"https://example.com/your/long/path"}' # Response: # { # "status": "success", # "data": { # "shortUrl": "https://linkshrink.dev/abc1234", # "deleteToken": "a1b2c3d4...", # "analytics": "https://linkshrink.dev/api/v1/stats/abc1234" # } # }
Everything goo.gl Had — Plus More, Free
Custom Aliases
Set memorable slugs like /my-event-2026. Google never offered this on goo.gl. Include customAlias in your API request — free and unlimited.
Link Editing
Change the destination URL without breaking the short link. Use PATCH /api/v1/:code with your deletion token. Something goo.gl never supported.
Password Protection & TTL
Protect sensitive links with a password. Set exact expiry times from 1 minute to 90 days. Features that goo.gl never had and most competitors charge for.