In short: the Google URL Shortener (goo.gl) no longer creates short links: Google stopped new links in 2018 and fully turned down creation on March 30, 2019. Old goo.gl links that are still used keep working, but inactive ones were deactivated. To get a short URL today, use another shortener, such as msteams.link: free, with a QR code for every link.
For years, goo.gl was the default answer to “how do I shorten a link?”. It was free, fast, and trusted because it came from Google. Many people still search for “google url shortener” or “short url google” expecting to find it. The service is gone, though, and the history of its shutdown matters if you still have goo.gl links in documents, emails or printed material. Here is what happened, what still works, and what to use instead.
What happened to the Google URL Shortener?
Google announced in March 2018 that it was winding down goo.gl. Creating new short links stopped for most users in 2018, and the service was fully turned down for creation on March 30, 2019. Google pointed developers to Firebase Dynamic Links, a tool built for app links rather than everyday link shortening (and which was itself later deprecated).
The bigger question was what would happen to the millions of goo.gl links already out there:
- In July 2024, Google announced that goo.gl links would stop redirecting on August 25, 2025 and return a 404 error, except links generated by Google apps (such as Maps share links).
- On August 1, 2025, Google updated that plan: actively used links are preserved and keep working. Only links that showed no activity in late 2024 were deactivated. Those inactive links had displayed a warning: “This link will no longer work in the near future”.
Google still recommends moving to another URL shortener and has not said how long the remaining goo.gl links will keep working.
Can you still create a goo.gl link?
No. There is no way to create new goo.gl links today, whether from the old website, an API or a browser extension. Any site that claims to offer a “Google address shortener” is not Google. If you need a short link now, you need a different service.
How to check if your old goo.gl links still work
Open the link in a browser. If it redirects straight to the destination without any warning message, Google has retained it. If you see an error or a notice that the link will stop working, it was deactivated or is at risk. Even links that work today have no guaranteed lifetime, so it is wise to replace the ones that matter.
How to replace your goo.gl links
- List them: search your documents, website pages, email templates, slide decks, social profiles and printed material (flyers, posters, business cards) for “goo.gl”.
- Open each one and note the original long URL it points to.
- Replace it with the original long URL, or with a new short link from a current shortener.
- Reprint QR codes that pointed to a goo.gl address: a QR code is only as durable as the link inside it.
Free alternatives to the Google URL Shortener
Several well-known link shorteners exist, such as Bitly or TinyURL, each with its own features and plans. When choosing, look at a few practical points: do you need an account, does it give you a QR code, can you see clicks, and does it block dangerous destinations?
msteams.link is a free link shortener originally built for Microsoft Teams meeting links, and it works for any long URL:
- Paste and shorten: paste any long link at the top of the shortener page and get a short link like
msteams.link/AB12(a 4-character code generated automatically). - No account for Teams links: meeting links are shortened instantly. For other destinations, a free sign-in with a verified email lets you create up to 30 links a day.
- QR code included: every short link comes with a downloadable QR code, ready to print.
- Click counts: signed-in users see how many times each link was opened.
- Safety: dangerous destinations are blocked.
Be aware of the trade-offs: codes are generated automatically (no custom aliases), and visitors see a short waiting page before the redirect (instant with Premium).
Looking for a Microsoft alternative?
If you work in a Microsoft 365 environment, you may wonder whether Microsoft offers its own shortener. We cover the options in Microsoft URL shortener: what exists and what to use. And if your long links are Teams meeting links that break in emails, see Teams link too long? How to shorten it.
Shortening links for chat apps too? Read how to shorten a WhatsApp link.
FAQ
Does Google still have a URL shortener?
No. The Google URL Shortener (goo.gl) stopped creating new links in 2019. Only some existing links still redirect.
Do goo.gl links still work?
Links that were actively used are preserved and keep working. Links with no activity in late 2024 were deactivated. Google has not said how long the remaining links will work.
How do I know if my goo.gl link was kept?
Open it: if it redirects without a warning message, it was retained. If you see a notice or an error, replace it.
What is the best free replacement for goo.gl?
It depends on your needs. msteams.link is free, gives a QR code for every link, needs no account for Teams meeting links, and allows up to 30 other links a day with a free sign-in.
Can I move my goo.gl links to another shortener?
MSTeams.link does not import goo.gl links automatically. Open each goo.gl link, copy the original URL, and create a new short link for it.