The tech giant has confirmed that all URLs created using the goo.gl shortener will cease functioning on August 25, 2025, marking the final chapter for a service once widely used across the web. After this date, every goo.gl link will return a 404 Not Found error, effectively rendering vast swaths of internet references and redirects obsolete.
A Long Goodbye for Goo.gl
Originally launched in 2009, goo.gl quickly became one of the most popular URL shorteners, praised for its reliability and integration with Google’s ecosystem. However, in 2018, Google deprecated the service in favor of Firebase Dynamic Links (FDL), directing developers and users toward a newer app-centric model.
But FDL didn’t last either. While goo.gl links remained functional for years after the transition, Google’s 2024 announcement confirmed their ultimate demise, citing that over 99% of goo.gl links were no longer receiving traffic.
According to the company, this move reflects a broader shift in how people access digital content — moving away from the open web and toward apps and platform-specific environments. Google framed the decision as part of its effort to support “new and innovative” ways of engaging online.
Final Countdown to Link Oblivion
Since the 2024 announcement, users visiting goo.gl links have been greeted with warnings about the shutdown. Those messages will vanish alongside the links next August, permanently severing any connections that relied on them.
For website owners, marketers, and developers still relying on goo.gl redirects, this is the final call to update your links or risk losing access to key content pathways.
Alternatives Still Thriving
Meanwhile, third-party services like TinyURL, Bit.ly, and others remain active and increasingly essential. In a digital world full of tracking-heavy, parameter-laden URLs — especially from platforms like YouTube, Facebook, and e-commerce platforms — link shorteners continue to serve a vital role in streamlining content sharing across SMS, social media, email, and QR codes.
Another One Bites the Dust
The discontinuation of goo.gl adds to Google’s ever-growing list of discontinued products and services — a history that includes Inbox, Google+, Stadia, and Hangouts. While Google is lauded for its innovation, the company’s track record for long-term product support remains inconsistent, leading to user frustration and mistrust.
With the rise of AI initiatives like Gemini, some critics wonder whether Google’s latest ventures will meet a similar fate. After all, Google has developed a pattern of sunsetting products shortly after pushing users to adopt them.
So, while we say goodbye to goo.gl, the broader concern lingers: How much trust should users place in Google’s next big thing?
