Google discontinued goo.gl in August 2025, affecting 3.6 billion links.
URLcut.ai reads your page content to create smart short links. Google never did that.
No credit card required - 10 free links - Setup in 30 seconds
Everything Google had, plus AI features they never offered
| Feature | URLcut.ai
Recommended |
Google Shortener
Discontinued |
|---|---|---|
| Service Status | ✅ Active & Growing | ❌ Discontinued Aug 2025 |
| Reads Your Page Content | ✅ AI visits and analyzes your URL | ❌ Never had this feature |
| AI-Powered Suggestions | ✅ 3-10 smart, readable URLs per link | ❌ Random strings only |
| Custom Slugs | ✅ Full control over your short URLs | ⚠️ Limited customization |
| Analytics | ✅ Comprehensive - clicks, location, devices, referrers | ⚠️ Basic analytics (was limited) |
| QR Codes | ✅ Custom colors + logos (Pro) | ❌ Not available |
| Password Protection | ✅ Protect sensitive links | ❌ Not available |
| Link Expiration | ✅ Set expiry dates | ❌ Not available |
| Free Tier | ✅ 10 links + 10 AI suggestions/month | ❌ Service ended |
| Pro Plan | $12/month (early adopter) | Was free (now unavailable) |
The timeline of Google URL Shortener's shutdown
Google stopped accepting new users for goo.gl, citing a shift toward Firebase Dynamic Links.
Existing users could no longer create new goo.gl links. Only previously created links continued working.
Google added warning pages to goo.gl links with no activity, alerting users of the upcoming shutdown.
Inactive goo.gl links stopped working entirely. 3.6 billion active links affected.
The #1 reason URLcut.ai is better than goo.gl ever was
goo.gl/xY7kQ2
Random characters. No meaning. No longer works.
Google never analyzed your page content.
urlcut.ai/summer-sale-50-off
AI reads your page, suggests readable URLs.
Studies show 39% better click-through rates.
Google gave you random characters no matter what. URLcut.ai's AI understands your intent.
AI analyzes your destination page and suggests 3-10 relevant, readable slugs
Get smart suggestions in under 2 seconds. No manual thinking required
Studies show readable URLs get 39% more clicks than random character strings
Google was free but limited. URLcut.ai gives you more.
Forever free, no credit card
Lock in $12/mo forever
No longer available
Your questions answered
Google discontinued goo.gl in August 2025. Inactive links no longer work. If you had active links, they may still redirect but Google is no longer maintaining the service.
You can't restore exact goo.gl links, but you can create new URLcut.ai links for the same destinations. Our AI will suggest even better, more memorable slugs than Google's random strings.
About 2 minutes. Sign up, paste a URL, see AI suggestions, and create your first link. Start using URLcut.ai for all new links going forward.
Google's analytics for goo.gl links are gone with the service. URLcut.ai will track all new link analytics with detailed insights on clicks, locations, devices, and referrers.
URLcut.ai has a generous free tier (10 links + 10 AI suggestions/month). For unlimited links and full features, Pro is just $12/month - worth it for the AI features Google never had.
URLcut.ai is actively developed and growing. We're committed to long-term service - unlike Google, URL shortening is our core product, not a side project to be deprecated.
Unlike Google's abandoned service, URLcut.ai is constantly improving.
Have a feature request? We actually listen!
Suggest a FeatureReal feedback from Google Shortener switchers
"After Google shut down goo.gl, I tried several alternatives. URLcut.ai's AI suggestions are something none of them offered. Finally, meaningful short links!"
"I used goo.gl for years because it was free and simple. URLcut.ai is just as easy but the AI features make my links so much more professional."
"The analytics are so much better than what Google offered. Plus the AI-suggested slugs actually make sense instead of random characters. Worth every penny."
URLcut.ai is the only URL shortener that reads your page content to create smart links.
Try it free - no credit card required. Cancel anytime.