Google ends Google shortener (goo.gl) links and raises Firebase Dynamic Links

Goo.gl takes the next step to Firebase Dynamic Links (FDL)

Hello techies and short link builders, been so long end of last month was organizing #TembeaNakuru Hike Mt. Longonot Edition with Narcet Hub team which was very successful. Don't miss the next hike. Now straight to our topic, Google recently announced they will shut down their URL shortener, Goo.gl and transition to Firebase Dynamic Links (FDL). In tech we all know advancement is a must and Google url shortener has come a long way (2009 - 2018). Starting March 30, 2018, Google will be turning down support for goo.gl URL shortener and as from April 13th (hehehe which is on a Friday the reaper will come) Google will cease service for any new or anonymous users. Although existing users can continue to use the goo.gl console through March 2019. Rest In Peace Goo.gl console, you did us well. Now lets get to know about where your Goo.gl links will go plus more on Firebase Dynamic Links.

History of Google URL Shortener

Old Google URL Shortener interface

Since its rise in 2009 Google url shortener has been updated and made better to date. Don't panic, Google will keep all existing links to continue redirecting to the intended destination, 2 thumbs up. Your existing short links will not be migrated to the Firebase console, however, you will be able to export your link information from the goo.gl console.

Updated Google URL Shortener interface

As an avid internet user chances are you’ve been shortening links to make them easier to remember, fit into a certain word count, or simply to make long, bulky URLs look nice and sleek and most importantly to measure traffic online. Google url shortener on Google Console must have been your closest companions since Goo.gl many others like Bitly and Ow.ly came up. Twitter did come with its http://t.co shortened links that automatically shortened your Tweet links when sharing to various other platforms.

The link shortening business has grown so much in the past decade and now Goo.gl transitions to Firebase Dynamic links. Google recommends Bitly and Ow.ly as alternatives.

What is Firebase Dynamic links (FDL)

Just before you switch to Bitly or Ow.ly, try out Firebase Dynamic Links and you'll be impressed, consumers and developers all included.

Dynamic Links are smart URLs that allow you to send existing and potential users to any location within your iOS or Android app. Smartest thing is that they survive the app install process, new users see the content they're looking for when they open the app for the first time. Dynamic Links will be free forever, for any scale and it does support iOS, Android, Web, C++ and Unity.

Convert mobile web users and desktop users to native app users

With Dynamic Links, you can seamlessly transition users from your mobile website to the equivalent content within your app. And because the links survive the app install process, even new users can pick up where they left off on your mobile site without missing a beat. You can also turn desktop users into mobile app users by migrating users from your website to your mobile app. Give your users an easy way to send themselves a deep link that, when clicked on a mobile device, automatically opens in the right context within your app (even if they need to install the app first).

Convert mobile web users to native app users and increase user-to-user sharing

Turn desktop users into mobile app users

To all developers, all Goo.gl API links will continue to redirect to the intended destination too after March 30, 2019. However, existing short links will not be migrated to the Firebase console/API. Thank you for reading through and I hope you have learnt a thing or two. Please comment below and also like our Facebook page, follow us on Twitter, share and Tweet about this article.