I spotted that article at https://www.pcmag.com/news/with-google-killing-googl-links-experts-warn-of-widespread-link-rot
QuoteGoo.gl is going to the Google graveyard.
The tech giant is hitting the kill switch on the Google URL Shortener, meaning all goo.gl links will start displaying a warning message next month and no longer work as of Aug. 25, 2025. Once a web destination in its own right, the goo.gl link now redirects to Google's post detailing the shutdown.
Google is giving developers plenty of time to move their links to new domains, but Google's warning message could lead to "disruptions" and stop goo.gl-connected pages from loading properly. It's possible to disable this warning page, however, by adding the query parameter "si=1" to existing goo.gl links, Google says.
Goo.gl was initially created in response to the rise of Twitter, which had strict character limits until Elon Musk took over and expanded it to 10,000 last year.
I guess that probably might include all the links linked to Google maps.
From Google's help page (https://developers.googleblog.com/en/google-url-shortener-links-will-no-longer-be-available/):
"Note that goo.gl links generated via Google apps (such as Maps sharing) will continue to function."
I set up my own URL shortening server ages ago.
I wish people would just stop using URL shortening in general, especially places where there's no character limit. I don't click on links I don't know where they're going.
Quote from: bm7 on October 17, 2024, 01:51:05 PMI wish people would just stop using URL shortening in general, especially places where there's no character limit. I don't click on links I don't know where they're going.
TinyURL offers a preview link so you can see where it goes.
Kind of a shame they're taking working links and breaking them. It'll cause bitrot in lots of old websites that aren't getting active maintenance anymore.