Social Media WOTD: Short URL #socmedWOTD #wordoftheday

Short URL

Bit.Ly, a popular URL-shortening service

Short URLs became popular because they make it easier to share web links via SMS messages and "micro-blogging" services such as Twitter. The concept is simple: The user enters the original URL (typing it in or copy/paste) into the service's database. The URL is given a code that is usually 5-8 characters long. That, combined with the domain name of the service, usually generates a URL that's 10-15 characters.

URLs that short make link exchange practical, but there are some caveats. If the shortening service is unreliable, clicking the short link may generate an error. Several third-party Twitter clients such as Tweetdeck and Seesmic allow the user to choose from a list of short URL providers, however, so the user can find one that works for them. Hootsuite uses their own shortening service, ow.ly.

The main concern people have with short URLs is fear of the unknown. Because the link references the shortening service's domain, the ultimate destination is masked. Be careful when clicking through on short links from people you don't know. Something NSFW or otherwise annoying/offensive may pop up!