Google continues to maintain functioning 'actively used' goo.gl short links, while discontinuing support for other links starting from August.
Google has announced an update to its plans for the shutdown of its goo.gl URL shortener links, following feedback from users about the impact of deactivating all goo.gl links.
Originally, Google had planned to deactivate all goo.gl links by August 25, 2025. However, after receiving feedback regarding the widespread embedding of these links in documents, videos, and posts, the tech giant has decided to preserve all actively used goo.gl URLs indefinitely.
Starting August 1, 2025, Google will only deactivate inactive links, those showing no activity in late 2024, after the warning messages indicating the links would soon stop working were introduced nine months ago. Active goo.gl links will continue to function without interruption.
Users can verify the status of a goo.gl link by clicking on it. If no warning message appears, the link remains active and supported. Google recommends that users transition to another URL shortener ahead of the shutdown date if a goo.gl link shows a warning message ("This link will no longer work in the near future").
The decision to continue functioning active goo.gl URLs suggests that Google is taking into account potential disruptions caused by deactivating all links. The move comes as more than 99% of goo.gl links had no activity in the last month, according to Google's statement from last year.
Google has not specified a new deadline for deactivating inactive goo.gl URLs. The goo.gl URL shortener stopped creating new links in March 2019.
Google appreciates the input received and has stated that it will preserve and continue to function all other goo.gl links as normal. The company did not provide new information about its response to feedback regarding the impact of deactivating goo.gl links.
In summary, Google's updated strategy preserves active goo.gl URLs indefinitely, only deactivating those identified as inactive to minimise disruption while encouraging migration away from unused links. It appears that Google will now be keeping goo.gl URLs active for the foreseeable future.
Technology continues to play a significant role in Google's decisions, as evidenced by the company's decision to preserve active goo.gl URLs indefinitely, taking into account potential disruptions caused by deactivating all links.
