Google is shutting down the goo.gl short URL service called the Google URL Shortener, and replacing it with Firebase Dynamic Links (FDL). Here’s what you need to know about this change:
- Starting April 13, 2018, you will no longer be able to create new goo.gl links and use the redirect service.
- After April 13, 2018, you’ll have to use Firebase Dynamic Links instead.
- If you have existing goo.gl links, you can continue to log in and use the features. The console will still work until March 30, 2019. You can still manage, change, and update those links there.
- After March 30, 2019, the links will still continue to work. You must won’t be able to manage, change, or update them.
- For developers, starting May 30, 2018, only projects that have accessed URL Shortener APIs before March 30, 2018 can create short links.
- For developers, if you are already calling URL Shortener APIs to manage goo.gl short links, you can continue to use them until March 30, 2019. At that time, they will discontinue the APIs.
- For everyone, all links will continue to redirect to the intended destination after March 30, 2019.
- Existing short links will not be migrated to the Firebase console/API.
Firebase Dynamic Links are a much smarter alternative to the Google URL Shortener service, as you can use FDL links to redirect users to any URL, or even any location in iOS, Android, or a web app.
Google launched the goo.gl URL shortener service back in 2009 so you could measure and redirect links. Now, they’re shutting down the service, starting April 13, 2018.
