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Google shifts goo.gl policy: Inactive links deactivated, active links preserved

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Re: Google shifts goo.gl policy: Inactive links deactivated, active links preserved

#31
post #11

I don't understand. For you to see the message, you have to click on the link. Your clicking on the link must mean that the link is active, since it is getting clicks. So why is the link being deactivated for being inactive?

I interpreted "inactive" as the link that the shortener is linking to is not responding.

Re: Google shifts goo.gl policy: Inactive links deactivated, active links preserved

#32
post #10

I'll never use a URL shortener again.

Has there ever been one that survived for a really long time?

Honestly, that's a great question

I think I might be doing a self plug here, so pardon me but I am pretty sure that I can create something like a link shortener which can last essentially permanent, it has to do with crypto (I don't adore it as an investment, I must make it absolutely clear)

But basically I have created nanotimestamps which can embed some data in nano blockchain and that data could theoretically be a link..

Now the problem is that the link would atleast either be a transaction id which is big or some sort of seed passphrase...

So no, its not as easy as some passphrase but I am pretty sure that nano isn't going to dissolve, last time I checked it has 60 nodes and anyone can host a node and did I mention all of this for completely free.. (I mean, there is no gas fees in nano, which is why I picked it)

I am not associated with the nano team and it would actually be sort of put their system on strain if we do actually use it in this way but I mean their system allows for it .. so why not cheat the system

Tldr: I am pretty sure that I can build one which can really survive a really long time, decentralized based link shortener but the trade off is that the shortened link might actually become larger than original link. I can still think of a way to actually shorten it though

Like I just thought that nano has a way to catalogue transactions in time so its theoretically possible that we can catalogue some transactions from time, and so basically its just the nth number of transaction and that n could be something like 1000232

and so it could be test.org/1000232 could lead to something like youtube rickroll. Could theoretically be possible, If literally anybody is interested, I can create a basic prototype since I am just so proud really that I created some decent "innovation" in some space that I am not even familiar with (I ain't no crypto wizard)

Re: Google shifts goo.gl policy: Inactive links deactivated, active links preserved

#34
Related. Others?

Google's shortened goo.gl links will stop working next month - https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=44683481 - July 2025 (219 comments)

Google URL Shortener links will no longer be available - https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=40998549 - July 2024 (49 comments)

Re: Google shifts goo.gl policy: Inactive links deactivated, active links preserved

#35

I'll never use a URL shortener again.

Finally a use for blockchain?

Oh boy... I think I found the man that I can yap about the idea that I got scrolling thorugh HN: link shortener in blockchain with 0 gas fees Here is the comment since I don't want to spam the same comment twice, Have a nice day

https://news.ycombinator.com/reply?id=44760545

Re: Google shifts goo.gl policy: Inactive links deactivated, active links preserved

#36

Earlier quoted context omitted.

[flagged]

Do PMs at Google have so much power that they can shut down a product used by billions of people?

The product was shut down a long time ago. They're now deleting inactive data of users.

Re: Google shifts goo.gl policy: Inactive links deactivated, active links preserved

#37
post #31
post #11

I don't understand. For you to see the message, you have to click on the link. Your clicking on the link must mean that the link is active, since it is getting clicks. So why is the link being deactivated for being inactive?

I interpreted "inactive" as the link that the shortener is linking to is not responding.

No. Inactive means that the short URL hasn't been accessed in a while.

Re: Google shifts goo.gl policy: Inactive links deactivated, active links preserved

#38

I'll never use a URL shortener again.

The more correct generalization would be to never trust a Google product again with your data.

Fwiw, I wrote and hosted my own URL shortener, also embeddable in applications.

Re: Google shifts goo.gl policy: Inactive links deactivated, active links preserved

#39
post #2

What purpose does "deactivating" any serve?

It creates a good entry in the promo package for that Google manager. "Successfully conducted cost saving measure, cutting down the spend on the link shortener service by 70%". Of course, hoping that no one will check the actual numbers.

Re: Google shifts goo.gl policy: Inactive links deactivated, active links preserved

#40
post #15
post #2

What purpose does "deactivating" any serve?

A warning shot to guard against an AT&T Bell-style forced divestiture?

I believe this is the simplest and most succinct answer given the current anti monopoly climate the courts and prosecutors have.
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