Google has launched a tool that allows users to “shorten” URL’s. (For readers not familiar with these types of applications, you might want to have a look at this description of URL shortening tools).
By far the largest player in this market is Bit.ly. And, of course, we have a local (Irish) player called Short.ie. Now Google has launched Goo.gl.
Bit.ly commands about 75% of all shortened URL’s passing through Twitter. So, should they fel under pressure? Well, the market is obviously of some interest to the larger players in the market (Google and Facebook together have just launched a URL shortening tool called fb.me).
Bit.ly have also gone on the offensive by recently launching Bit.ly Pro, which will allow companies to use custom urls for their links. The company also introduced a real-time dashboard to let publishers track how and where their content is being shared.
Here’s what Bit.ly have to say:
“Users and publishers benefit from the additional transparency that this private-label service provides. When you see a short URL like nyti.ms, you know the destination web site before clicking on the link. The service includes all the bit.ly features users and publishers have come to expect. Placing a simple “+” at the end of any bit.ly link (including these white-label, bit.ly-powered links) takes you to real-time information about that page and how it is being shared: how many people clicked on that particular link, where they came from, and more. For publishers, the new service allows them to keep their brand visible while maintaining access to bit.ly statistics.”
While this is a prime product to grow Bit.ly’s revenue stream, the company is not yet charging for Pro accounts. Like its deal with Twitter, this is meant to further cement its dominance over the URL shortening business. In November, the company shortened 2.1 billion links. That’s up from 11.8 million the year before.
As Twitter’s default shortening company, Bit.ly currently accounts for about three quarters of all short links on Twitter. Sites from AOL to Bing, Foursquare and The Wall Street Journal are among those in the private beta of the Bit.ly Pro program.
