Google URL Shortener Alternatives: Best goo.gl Replacements in 2025

If you're searching for a Google URL shortener alternative, you're not alone. Google shut down its URL shortening service (goo.gl) in 2019, leaving millions of users searching for replacements.

Why Google Discontinued goo.gl

In July 2018, Google announced that goo.gl would be shut down effective March 30, 2019. Reasons included:

• Shift to a more integrated approach (Google Analytics, Campaign Manager)
• Focus on authenticated shortening for security
• API consolidation
• Declining usage among its user base

The good news? Better alternatives exist now.

The Best Google URL Shortener Alternatives

1. Quik - Best Overall Replacement

Quik is the modern successor to goo.gl, offering everything Google's service had and more.

Why Quik is Best for Former goo.gl Users:

| Feature | goo.gl | Quik | |---------|--------|------| | Simple interface | ✅ | ✅ | | Free | ✅ | ✅ | | Analytics | ✅ | ✅ Advanced | | QR codes | ✅ | ✅ | | API | ✅ | ✅ | | Password protection | ❌ | ✅ New! | | Link expiration | ❌ | ✅ New! | | Custom links | ❌ | ✅ New! |

Quik Advantages:

• Free tier with 100 links/month
• Real-time analytics
• Password-protected links
• Link expiration (perfect for temporary content)
• Modern, clean interface
• No Google account required
• Mobile app available

Getting Started with Quik:

1. Go to quik.im
2. Paste your long URL
3. Click "Shorten"
4. Share your short link

2. Bitly - The Enterprise Choice

Bitly is the most popular paid alternative with free options.

Good for goo.gl users who need:

• Advanced analytics
• Team collaboration
• Custom domains
• Integrations with marketing tools

Pricing:

• Free: 50 links/month
• Paid: Starting at $99/month

3. TinyURL - The Simplest

TinyURL existed before goo.gl and continues to provide no-frills URL shortening.

Good for goo.gl users who need:

• Maximum simplicity
• Unlimited free links
• No registration required
• API access for automation

4. Short.io - Feature-Rich Free Tier

Short.io offers more on the free plan than Bitly.

Good for goo.gl users who need:

• Generous free tier (500 links/month)
• Custom domains
• Advanced analytics
• Affordable paid plans

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Migrating from goo.gl

Step 1: Export Your Existing Links

If you have goo.gl links, Google provided tools to export them:

1. Go to your Google My Activity page
2. Download your Google Takeout
3. Look for shortened URL history

Step 2: Create a Redirect Plan

Your old goo.gl links may no longer work. Options:

Option A: Recreate in New Service

• Use the same custom short names in your new platform
• Example: goo.gl/abc123 → quik.im/abc123

Option B: Use Redirect Services

• Services like Bitly allow importing goo.gl links
• They maintain the link structure

Option C: Update All References

• Manually update links in your content
• Update social media bios and descriptions

Step 3: Set Up Analytics

Configure your new platform's analytics:

With Quik:

• Automatic real-time tracking
• View clicks by device, location, referrer
• Export reports as needed

Step 4: Update Your Workflow

Create new standard operating procedures:

Old goo.gl workflow:
1. Go to goo.gl
2. Paste URL
3. Copy short link
4. Check basic analytics

New Quik workflow:
1. Go to quik.im
2. Paste URL
3. Optionally customize, add password, set expiration
4. Copy short link
5. View advanced analytics in real-time

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Comparison: All Google URL Shortener Alternatives

| Platform | Free Tier | Analytics | Custom Links | Password Protection | Best For | |----------|-----------|-----------|--------------|-------------------|----------| | Quik | 100/mo | Advanced | ✅ | ✅ | Most users | | Bitly | 50/mo | Good | ✅ | Paid | Enterprise | | TinyURL | Unlimited | Basic | ✅ | ❌ | Simplicity | | Short.io | 500/mo | Good | ✅ | ❌ | Growing businesses | | Rebrandly | 100/mo | Good | ✅ | ❌ | Custom domains |

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Special Considerations

API Integration

If you used goo.gl's API, look for alternatives with:

• REST API
• Good documentation
• Rate limits that match your needs

Quik's API is fully documented and free on all tiers.

Google Analytics Integration

goo.gl didn't integrate directly with Google Analytics, but:

• Use UTM parameters with your shortened links
• Example: https://quik.im/campaign?utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=social

Historic goo.gl Links

Your old goo.gl links (shortened before March 2019) are still tracked by Google:

• They will no longer be shortened by Google
• The original long URLs still work
• Consider 301 redirecting to new short links

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FAQ: Migrating from goo.gl

Q: Will my old goo.gl links still work? A: Links shortened before the shutdown work. New goo.gl shortening doesn't work since March 2019.

Q: Can I import goo.gl links into Quik? A: Yes, through bulk import. Quik can maintain the custom short codes if they're available.

Q: What's the best goo.gl alternative for my use case? A:

• Marketing: Bitly or Quik
• Development: Quik or TinyURL
• Simplicity: TinyURL
• Most Features: Quik

Q: Should I use UTM parameters with my short links? A: Yes! It's the best way to track where traffic comes from when using any URL shortener.

Q: Are these alternatives as reliable as goo.gl was? A: Yes. All recommendations here have 99.9%+ uptime. Google's reliability was excellent, and these maintain similar standards.

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Making the Switch to Quik

Ready to move on from goo.gl? Quik is built for users like you:

✅ Free tier with 100 links/month ✅ One-click shortening ✅ Real-time analytics ✅ No complicated signup ✅ Modern, clean interface

Get Started with Quik Free

No credit card needed. Start shortening links in seconds.

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Conclusion

Google's shutdown of goo.gl was disappointing, but the market has evolved with better alternatives. Quik is now the best goo.gl replacement, offering everything Google had plus modern features like password protection and link expiration.

Make the switch today and experience the next generation of URL shortening.