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Google and Facebook Jump on the URL-Shortening Bandwagon

by Caleb Johnson on December 15, 2009 at 09:25 AM


With short-form publishing becoming more popular each day, people are frequently using URL-shortening services to make their posts full of content instead of cluttered with characters. When a new trend like this emerges, everybody wants a piece of the pie. That's why both Google and Facebook have recently introduced URL-shortening services.

The Official Google Blog gives a rundown of the new service -- aptly named Google URL Shortener -- that's integrated into new versions of Google Toolbar and Feedburner. The major knock is that Goo.gl can only be used in Toolbar and Feedburner, unlike other services, like Bit.ly or TinyURL, that can be used anywhere. On the other hand, Facebook's shortener could pose a real threat to the previously mentioned shorteners. According to Mashable, the feature is being tested on a limited basis right now -- with links shared on mobile interfaces being automatically shortened to fb.me. But knowing Facebook's willingness to try new things, expect fb.me to expand rapidly soon.

We're all for some healthy competition, especially on the Web. May the most intuitive, quickest, and secure URL shortener win. For what it's worth, our money's on Facebook to corner the market. [From: The Official Google Blog and Mashable]

Tags: facebook, google, microblogging, top, trends, twitter, url, url shortener, web

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