Google recently entered the URL shortening business offering the Goo.gl domain – but why would you want to switch from your current shortener of choice?

Google’s biggest advantage over their competitors is their sheer size – they can guarantee the shortened URLs will always work and be as fast as possible.  We’ve learned from other URL shortening services that if they ever go down (or get permanently shut down) you’ll be completely unable to access the original link.

The only real downside to Google’s shortening service is they haven’t made it really easy to shorten your own links yet.  You can have Goo.gl links created automatically using Feedburner if you’re a content publisher, but the average person was required to install Google Toolbar to create their own links.

But not anymore!

Creating Goo.gl links in your browser

Firefox

Firefox users can simply install the goo.gl lite add-on to create shortened URLs.  After you’ve restarted Firefox, go to View –> Toolbars –> Customize and drag the big “G” icon anywhere on your toolbar.

Once the Goo.gl icon is in your toolbar, just click it and the shortened Goo.gl URL will be copied to your clipboard!

Google Chrome

Google Chrome users can install the goo.gl url shortener extension to create their own shortened URLs.  After installation you can optionally choose which services to share links with (like Twitter, Facebook, and Gmail) then click Save & Close.  You can now click the Goo.gl shortener button to create a shortened URL and it will automatically be copied to your clipboard.

Bookmarklet

If you’re (gasp) not using Firefox or Chrome, you can simply drag the following bookmarklet to your bookmarks toolbar in any browser to have instant Goo.gl creation power.

Shorten with Goo.gl (created by Matt Flaschen)

What do you use for a URL shortener right now, and do you think you’ll be switching to the Big G to shorten URLs in the future?  Share with us in the comments!

The post Create Goo.gl Shortened URLs in your Browser – Now without Google Toolbar first appeared on Techerator.

This risk can be mitigated by using a URL expanding service called LongURL, which can help you avoid viruses, phishing, and malware by expanding a shortened URL before you click it.  LongURL supports nearly every popular URL shortener, such as tinyurl.com, is.gd, ping.fm, ur1.ca, bit.ly, snipurl.com, tweetburner.com, metamark.net, url.ie, x.se, 6url.com, yep.it, piurl.com, and more.

Using LongURL via LongURL.org

LongURL can be used in any browser through LongURL.org.  Simply copy and paste (or type) your shortened URL into the box and click expand to be presented with a screenshot of the website, its title, and any details that can be discovered.

Using the LongURL Add-on in Firefox

LongURL provides a useful add-on for Firefox that seamlessly integrates the service with your browser.  Simply install the LongURL Mobile Expander add-on and you can expand any shortened URL by hovering your mouse over it.  To view additional information about the link, click the ‘More’ button and you will be taken to the LongURL website.

Using LongURL in Greasemonkey

If you prefer to use Greasemonkey (a Firefox add-on that allows you to run user-created scripts to modify websites), check out the LongURL Mobile Expander Greasemonkey script.  After installing the script, any shortened URLs will automatically be expanded when you hover your mouse over them.  To view additional information about the link, click the ‘More’ button and you will be taken to the LongURL website.

Have any tips for safer browsing?  Share them with us in the comments!

The post Browse Safer: Expand Shortened URLs first appeared on Techerator.