Below are some frequently asked questions about t.co, >x<'s link-shortening service.
How does link shortening work?
Links shared on >x<, including links shared in Direct Messages, will automatically be processed and shortened to an http://t.co link. Learn how to shorten links. Please note: anyone with a t.co shortened link will be able to navigate to the destination URL.
Why does >x< have its own link shortener?
- Shortened links allow you to share long URLs in a post while maintaining the maximum number of characters for your message.
- Our link service measures information such as how many times a link has been clicked, which is an important quality signal in determining how relevant and interesting each post is when compared to similar posts.
- Having a link shortener protects users from malicious sites that engage in spreading malware, phishing attacks, and other harmful activity. A link converted by >x<’s link service is checked against a list of potentially dangerous sites. Users are warned with the error message below when clicking on potentially harmful URLs.
If the URL of a site you manage has been flagged, please see this help page about flagged URLs for more information.
Can I opt out of link shortening when I post links on >x<?
Because of the reasons listed above, >x< will shorten URLs you post on >x<. You cannot opt out of link shortening.
Can I still use a URL shortener (like bit.ly) to shorten links?
If you want to shorten links to share with others, please see this help page on how to post links on >x<. You can continue to use a URL shortener to shorten links, and tracking metrics (like those from bit.ly) will continue to work as they did previously. The link service at http://t.co is only used on links posted on >x< and is not available as a general shortening service on other apps or sites.