A URL shortener is a tool that makes a website’s URL into a shorter and readable link. But with the recent development, they are now helping in marketing, branding business, and monitoring conversions. The two most essential parts of a URL shortener are readability and speed.
Choosing between two of the most renowned names, Google and Bitly, can be a dilemma. It is why we have tailored a guide to help you select the best.
Bitly Review
Bitly gained popularity in 2009 for being Twitter’s link shortener. Despite Twitter creating its own, Bitly remains a market leader in the industry. Bitly’s pro version takes it to the next level with advanced features. It includes producing and managing multiple campaigns, teams, and links under one dashboard.
Bitly’s Free features:
- Ability to customize and manage URL links
- User-friendly dashboard
- Integrations with social and marketing tools
- Chrome extension and mobile app
- Ability to track and monitor the traffic flow
The best thing about Bitly is its ability to integrate with any top social media app including, LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, and Reddit.
Drawback of Bitly
Many features are added to the premium account, while the free version has basic ones. Adding the own domain is a challenging part of Bitly for people who aren’t tech-savvy. The analytics are deleted after a 30-day time, which startles the users. And once the link is generated, it cannot be edited or deleted.
The link posted is public, and anyone can spy on you, which raises some security concerns. Looking at a bigger picture, Bitly offers an easy-to-use platform but allows less control of your links.
Goo.gl review
Google’s URL shortener is a handy tool for any business. But since they only launched it to help websites and not make money, it is poorly managed and updated.
Goo.gl features
- No mandatory login or signup
- Created by a renowned brand Google
- Termed as fastest URL shortener
- Strong and easy-to-use dashboard
- Tracks URL performance
- Has Google Chrome extension
- Records and stores all your past URL data
- Offers good readability and speed
Google’s article shortener offers a number of features for free. With the tool, you can even create your own campaigns and integrate your own domain.
Drawbacks of Goo.gl
This tool does not come with a premium version and only has the basic features. Users have complained about the lack of customization in URL and domain. The data from any given link cannot be removed but only hidden. Moreover, all the data is public and everyone can see your stats.
The significant problem with Google’s tool is not being able to customize links. It means users cannot create targeted links that give you more clicks.
Final thoughts
If you have to choose between Google and Bitly Pro, the latter seems to be the suitable choice. Bitly has proved itself over the years as the leader in URL shortening. Its ability to blend into any marketing tool and premium plans gives it an edge over Google.