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Launching a site with a URL redirect service....

T

TechBoyJK

Lifer
Hi Guys,

I'm working on a website that will have, as one of many functions, URL redirection.

I'm personally skeptical about url redirects, but I figured it would be a free easy way to get people to get the domain out there.

Since I've noticed a backlash trend against url redirects on the principle that they can take users to malicious websites, I've been mowing over the idea of offering the redirect service, but making it include a mandatory preview. With AT forums now banning them as well on the principle of blind redirects, I'm wondering if I have no choice but to make it preview only or have the site associated with all the other shady redirect sites.

I've been working with the Google Safe Site api, and besides showing users the real link and making them choose to go to it, also including verification of the URL as to if it has pass various safe search filters and/or black listing filters.

This way, the service would become known as being safe due to the extra controls, but still giving users an option of having a redirect service that wouldn't get banned left and right.

Thoughts? aka 'safe' url shortener powered by Google Safe Search.
 
My guess is the bigger sites like tinyURL will get their act together soon, so you only have a small window of time in which anyone would use your site for this.
 
I'm actually in discussions with the TinyURL guy about a partnership... We have a much better domain for the service (it's pretty clever).

Either way, it's not the core of our business. But I'm thinking about having it launched in 14 days and calling it the SAFE URL redirection service.
 
I won't click on shortened URLs, but I don't know if I'm in the minority.
 
Don't really need shortened URLs, they just need to adjust the char limit on sites (ie: Twitter). One link per message that counts as 0 chars.. Its pretty simple.. but no one implements this.


What would help URL shorteners (I never use them because half the people I talk to won't click).. but to preview the page before or at least the actual URL.. like Google's search results. .. But that would be more of the site doing the preview and not the shortener service.
 
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