Google URL Shortener (goo.gl) has been discontinued. If you're looking for the best Google URL shortener alternative, you've come to the right place. In this guide, we'll explain what happened to goo.gl, compare the top alternatives, and show you why URLcut.ai is the best replacement in 2025.
Table of Contents
What Happened to Google URL Shortener?
Google URL Shortener, better known as goo.gl, was one of the most popular URL shortening services on the internet. Launched in 2009, it allowed users to create short links for free with basic click analytics.
However, Google decided to discontinue the service, citing a shift toward Firebase Dynamic Links for app developers. The shutdown was gradual:
- April 2018: Google blocked new users from creating goo.gl accounts
- March 2019: Existing users could no longer create new goo.gl links
- August 2024: Warning interstitials appeared on inactive links
- August 2025: Inactive goo.gl links stopped working entirely
The shutdown affected an estimated 3.6 billion active links and 36 billion historical links created over the service's lifetime.
Google URL Shortener Shutdown Timeline
goo.gl Launches
Google introduces URL Shortener as a free service with basic analytics.
New Users Blocked
Google stops accepting new goo.gl accounts. Existing users can still create links.
Link Creation Ends
No new goo.gl links can be created. Existing links continue to redirect.
Warning Pages Appear
Google adds interstitial warnings to inactive goo.gl links.
Final Shutdown
Inactive goo.gl links stop working. 3.6 billion links affected.
Quick Comparison: Best goo.gl Alternatives (2025)
After Google discontinued goo.gl, several alternatives emerged. Here's how they compare:
| Feature | URLcut.ai | Bitly | TinyURL | goo.gl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Status | ✅ Active | ✅ Active | ✅ Active | ❌ Discontinued |
| AI Page Analysis | ✅ Yes | ❌ No | ❌ No | ❌ No |
| AI Suggestions | ✅ 3-10 per link | ❌ No | ❌ No | ❌ No |
| Free Tier | ✅ 10 links/month | ✅ 5 links/month | ✅ Unlimited (no analytics) | Was free |
| Pro Pricing | $12/mo | $10/mo (100 links) | $9.99/mo | N/A |
| Analytics | ✅ Comprehensive | ✅ Good | ⚠️ Limited | Basic |
| QR Codes | ✅ Custom colors + logos | ✅ Limited | ✅ Basic | ❌ No |
| Password Protection | ✅ Yes | ✅ Paid plans | ❌ No | ❌ No |
Pricing accurate as of January 2025. Check respective websites for the most current pricing.
Why URLcut.ai is the Best Google Shortener Replacement
While there are several goo.gl alternatives, URLcut.ai stands out for one key reason: it offers AI-powered features that Google URL Shortener never had—and that competitors still don't offer.
1. AI-Powered URL Suggestions (Our Superpower)
This is the biggest differentiator. URLcut.ai uses artificial intelligence to generate smart, readable URL suggestions based on your destination page content. Google goo.gl only generated random strings.
❌ Google goo.gl:
goo.gl/xY7kQ2
Random characters. Meaningless. No longer works.
✅ URLcut.ai:
urlcut.ai/summer-sale-50-off
Readable, memorable, tells you what the link is about.
2. Better Analytics Than goo.gl Ever Had
Google's analytics for goo.gl were basic at best. URLcut.ai provides comprehensive analytics including:
- Click counts and trends over time
- Geographic location of clickers
- Device and browser breakdown
- Referrer tracking (where clicks come from)
- Unlimited analytics retention (Pro plan)
3. Features goo.gl Never Had
URLcut.ai includes features that Google URL Shortener never offered:
- Custom QR codes with colors and logos (Pro)
- Password-protected links for sensitive content
- Link expiration dates for time-limited campaigns
- Modern, fast interface built in 2024-2025
4. Reliable and Actively Developed
One of the biggest problems with goo.gl was that Google treated it as a side project—easy to abandon. URLcut.ai is a dedicated URL shortening service. It's our core product, not something we'll deprecate when the next shiny thing comes along.
Ready to switch? Try URLcut.ai free - no credit card required.
Try URLcut.ai FreeHow to Migrate from goo.gl to URLcut.ai
Unfortunately, you can't restore your old goo.gl links—they're gone with Google's service. But you can easily create new, better links with URLcut.ai. Here's how:
Sign Up for URLcut.ai (30 seconds)
Create a free account at urlcut.ai. No credit card required.
Test the AI Suggestions
Paste a URL and click "Generate AI Suggestions." You'll immediately see the difference from goo.gl's random strings.
Recreate Your Important Links
For any old goo.gl links that were important, create new URLcut.ai equivalents. Our AI will suggest even better slugs.
Update Your References
Replace old goo.gl links on your website, social media, and marketing materials with your new URLcut.ai links.
Use URLcut.ai for All New Links
Going forward, use URLcut.ai for all your URL shortening needs. Enjoy AI-powered suggestions and better analytics.
Upgrade to Pro (Optional)
For unlimited links, AI suggestions, and advanced features, upgrade to Pro at just $12/month (early adopter pricing).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I recover my old goo.gl links?
Unfortunately, no. Google has discontinued the service, and there's no way to recover or restore old goo.gl links. You'll need to create new short links with an alternative service like URLcut.ai.
Why did Google discontinue goo.gl?
Google cited a shift toward Firebase Dynamic Links for app developers. However, many believe Google simply didn't see URL shortening as a core product worth maintaining. This is why it's important to choose a dedicated URL shortening service rather than a side project from a tech giant.
Is URLcut.ai free like goo.gl was?
URLcut.ai has a generous free tier with 10 links and 10 AI suggestions per month. For unlimited links and full features, Pro is $12/month (early adopter pricing). The AI features alone make it worth more than what goo.gl offered for free.
What makes URLcut.ai better than other goo.gl alternatives?
URLcut.ai is the only URL shortener that reads your page content and generates AI-powered suggestions. Other alternatives like Bitly and TinyURL just give you random strings or require manual slug creation. Our AI saves time and creates more memorable, clickable links.
Will URLcut.ai shut down like goo.gl?
Unlike Google, URL shortening is URLcut.ai's core business—not a side project. We're committed to long-term service and are actively developing new features. We have no plans to discontinue the service.
How do I know my URLcut.ai links will keep working?
We're a dedicated URL shortening service with a sustainable business model. Links created on URLcut.ai are permanent (unless you delete them). We don't have arbitrary limits on link lifetime like some free services.
Can URLcut.ai handle the same volume as goo.gl?
Yes. URLcut.ai is built on modern infrastructure designed to handle high traffic. Our redirects are instant, and our analytics can handle millions of clicks. Whether you're an individual or enterprise, we can scale with you.
Does URLcut.ai have an API?
API access is coming soon. We're actively building a REST API that will allow you to integrate URL shortening and AI suggestions into your applications and workflows.
Final Verdict: The Best Google URL Shortener Alternative
Google URL Shortener (goo.gl) is gone, but that's actually a good thing. It forces you to upgrade to something better.
URLcut.ai is the best Google URL Shortener replacement because it offers:
- ✅ AI-powered URL suggestions that goo.gl never had
- ✅ Better analytics than Google ever offered
- ✅ Modern features like QR codes, password protection, and link expiration
- ✅ Reliable service from a company dedicated to URL shortening
- ✅ Affordable pricing with a generous free tier
Don't settle for another random-string generator. Get smart, AI-powered short links with URLcut.ai.
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