Best Google URL Shortener Alternative
goo.gl is gone, Flyn is a modern, free-to-start replacement you can switch to
Last updated: July 2026
Google URL Shortener (goo.gl) was a free, no-frills link shortener with basic click stats. Google stopped accepting new links back in 2018, shut the service to users in 2019, and on August 25, 2025 deactivated inactive goo.gl links, they now return 404. There is no way to create a goo.gl link anymore. Flyn is a modern, free-to-start replacement you can move your links to.
Unlimited links, deep analytics, A/B testing, QR codes, and deep links for 16+ native apps, from $9/mo.
Why Look for a Google URL Shortener Alternative?
If you used goo.gl, you do not really have a choice to stay, the service is gone. New links have been impossible to create since 2018, and as of August 25, 2025 inactive goo.gl links return a 404 with no way to recover them. Google never shipped a direct replacement; its shutdown notice simply advises moving to another shortener. The smart move is to pick a modern, independent platform that will not be sunset out from under you. Flyn gives you unlimited links, your own custom domain, real-time and geographic analytics, A/B testing, and deep links, everything goo.gl lacked, free to start and $9/month for Pro.
Google URL Shortener at a Glance
Google URL Shortener homepage (goo.gl), screenshot captured April 2026
Google URL Shortener: Pros & Cons
What Google URL Shortener Does Well
- Was free and dead-simple to use
- Trusted goo.gl domain while it lasted
- Backed by Google’s infrastructure
- Basic click analytics included
Where Google URL Shortener Falls Short
- Discontinued, no new links since 2018
- Inactive links deactivated (404) on Aug 25, 2025
- No custom domains, A/B testing, or deep links ever
- No migration path, dead links cannot be revived
Pricing Comparison
Google URL Shortener Plans
Flyn Plans
Feature Comparison: Flyn vs Google URL Shortener
| Feature | Flyn | Google URL Shortener |
|---|---|---|
| Core | ||
| Link shortening | Discontinued | |
| Create new short links | No (closed 2018) | |
| Custom branded domains | 3 on Pro | |
| Unlimited links | ||
| QR code generation | ||
| Analytics | ||
| Real-time click analytics | Basic, now gone | |
| City-level geo data | ||
| Device & browser breakdown | Basic, now gone | |
| Referrer analysis | Basic, now gone | |
| Period-over-period trends | ||
| Advanced | ||
| A/B split testing | ||
| Password-protected links | ||
| Link expiration | ||
| Geo-routing | ||
| Device targeting | ||
| Deep links (native apps) | 16+ platforms | |
| Link cloaking | ||
| Custom OG metadata | ||
| Retargeting pixels on links | Not applicable | |
| Developer | ||
| REST API | Retired | |
| Webhooks | ||
| Chrome extension | ||
| Marketing | ||
| UTM builder | ||
| Bulk link creation | ||
| Security | ||
| GDPR-compliant analytics | ||
| Collaboration | ||
| Team workspaces | $4/seat add-on | |
Google URL Shortener Is Gone, Here Is the Replacement
goo.gl was Google’s free, dead-simple URL shortener, launched in 2009. It was never a full marketing platform, just short links and basic click counts. Google stopped accepting new links in 2018, closed the service to users in 2019, and on August 25, 2025 deactivated goo.gl links that had shown no activity in late 2024, those now return a 404. You cannot create a goo.gl link anymore, and Google’s own shutdown notice tells users to move to an alternative URL shortener. Flyn is that replacement: a real, supported, modern shortener with unlimited links, a custom domain, and analytics goo.gl never had, free to start, $9/month for Pro.
Why goo.gl Shut Down, and Why It Matters
Google retired goo.gl as part of a wider move to Firebase Dynamic Links, which Google then also discontinued (Firebase Dynamic Links shut down in 2025 as well). The net result: the free Google shortening stack no longer exists. If you relied on goo.gl links in old docs, emails, QR codes, or printed material, the inactive ones are dead and there is no Google product to recreate them in. Flyn gives you a stable home that will not disappear: links you create today keep working, and you own your destinations and slugs.
Quick Switch
Most teams complete the migration from Google URL Shortener to Flyn in under 10 minutes. Start free →
Flyn Does Everything goo.gl Did, and Far More
goo.gl gave you a short link and a basic click count. Flyn gives you the short link plus real-time click streams, city-level geographic data, device and browser breakdowns, referrer analysis, and period-over-period trends, all on Pro at $9/month. Beyond analytics, Flyn adds A/B split testing, password-protected and auto-expiring links, geo-routing, device targeting, deep links into 16+ native apps, link cloaking, custom OG metadata, a full REST API, and webhooks. None of these ever existed in goo.gl.
Free to Start, With a Custom Domain
Like goo.gl, Flyn is free to start, 25 links per month with basic analytics on the Free plan, no credit card required. Unlike goo.gl, you are not limited to the shared goo.gl domain: Flyn Pro lets you use up to 3 of your own branded short domains (like go.yourbrand.com) for trustworthy, on-brand links. Flyn Pro is $9/month billed annually for unlimited links, deep analytics, and every advanced feature, a real product with a roadmap, not a sunset service.
Recreating Your Old goo.gl Links in Flyn
Because goo.gl is discontinued, the original short links cannot be transferred or revived, deactivated ones simply 404. The migration path is to recreate them: if you still have a list of your goo.gl short links and their destinations (from a spreadsheet, the old goo.gl console export, or your own records), import that list into Flyn and you get fresh, working short links with richer analytics from day one. Going forward you can use your own custom domain so your links never depend on a third party’s product lifecycle again.
Shorten Links to Specific Google Products
goo.gl shortened any Google link, and Flyn does too, with a dedicated shortener for each Google product that keeps click analytics and adds a QR code.
Google Forms link shortener
Shorten a long Forms response or edit URL.
Google Drive link shortener
Clean up a Drive file or folder share link.
Google Docs link shortener
Shorten a Docs share or make-a-copy URL.
Google Sheets link shortener
Shorten a Sheets share URL, tab anchors intact.
Google Maps link shortener
Shorten a Maps place or directions link.
Google Play link shortener
Shorten an app or store listing link.
Deep link generator
Open a shortened Google link in the target app.
How to Migrate from Google URL Shortener to Flyn
Gather your old goo.gl short links and their destination URLs (spreadsheet, records, or any saved export)
Create a free Flyn account at flyn.to/signup
Recreate the links in Flyn, import your list or add them in the dashboard with your own slugs
Optional: add your own custom domain so future links never depend on a third-party service
Replace old goo.gl links in your docs, emails, and QR codes with the new Flyn links
Typical migration time: Under 10 minutes. Your existing short links continue working during and after the switch.
The Verdict
Google URL Shortener (goo.gl) is discontinued, you cannot create new links and inactive ones now return 404. There is no Google replacement; Google itself points users to other shorteners. Flyn is the modern successor: unlimited links, custom domains, deep analytics, A/B testing, and deep links, free to start, $9/month for Pro.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best free Google URL Shortener alternative?
Flyn. goo.gl is discontinued, you can no longer create links and inactive ones now 404. Flyn offers a free plan with 25 links per month and basic analytics, plus a Pro plan at $9/month (annual) with unlimited links, custom domains, and deep analytics that goo.gl never had.
Is goo.gl still working?
Mostly no. Google stopped creating new goo.gl links in 2018 and, on August 25, 2025, deactivated goo.gl links that showed no activity in late 2024, those return a 404. A subset of still-active links (including some generated by Google apps like Maps) were preserved, but you cannot make new goo.gl links. Google's own shutdown notice tells users to move to another URL shortener; Flyn is built to be that replacement.
Google URL Shortener vs Flyn, which is better?
Flyn, decisively, goo.gl no longer exists as a usable product. Even at its peak goo.gl only offered short links and basic click counts. Flyn is a live, supported shortener with unlimited links, custom domains, real-time and geo analytics, A/B testing, deep links, and a REST API.
Can I migrate my goo.gl links to Flyn?
The original goo.gl links cannot be transferred or revived because the service is discontinued. But if you have a list of your old short links and their destinations, you can recreate them in Flyn in minutes, you get fresh working links plus far richer analytics, and you can put them on your own custom domain.
Is Flyn cheaper than Google URL Shortener?
goo.gl was free but is now shut down, so it is not an option at any price. Flyn is free to start (25 links/month) and $9/month (annual) for Pro, unlimited links, 3 custom domains, deep analytics, A/B testing, and deep links. You get a real, maintained product for the price.
Is Flyn the official goo.gl replacement?
Flyn is not affiliated with Google, and Flyn is not goo.gl. Google did not launch a direct successor, its shutdown notice simply tells users to switch to an alternative shortener. Flyn is built to be exactly that: a modern, supported replacement that does everything goo.gl did and much more.
Why did Google shut down its URL shortener?
Google retired goo.gl as part of a move to Firebase Dynamic Links, which Google has since also discontinued. The free Google shortening stack no longer exists, which is why a stable, independent shortener like Flyn matters: links you create in Flyn will not vanish with a product sunset.
How do I shorten a Google Forms, Drive, Docs, Sheets, or Maps link?
Paste the long Google URL into Flyn and you get a clean branded short link with a QR code and click analytics. Flyn has a dedicated shortener for each: Google Forms, Google Drive, Google Docs, Google Sheets, Google Maps, and Google Play links all shorten the same way, no goo.gl required.
Can a Flyn short link open directly in the Instagram or Spotify app?
Yes. Flyn deep links send a click straight into the target app when it is installed, so a short link to a profile or track opens the native app instead of a browser tab. You can layer this on any Flyn short link, including ones that point to a Google destination.
Ready to switch from Google URL Shortener?
Start with a free account, no credit card required. Migrate your links in under 10 minutes.