Bit.ly Now Twitter’s Default URL Shortener
( TheSaiko.com )
Twitter opted to partner with Bit.ly to deliver URL shortening to users. Tiny URL has had this spot until now. The reason this makes water cooler conversations is Bit.ly has now been thrust into the spotlight as the most popular URL shortening service.
What’s more is that now Bit.ly’s valuation can’t help by skyrocket now that it’s the default URL shortener for Twitter. The numbers say that their user share will increase as it gets used to it’s new roll on the Tweet deck. Unless you’ve been hiding under a rock recently, you’ll know that “Tweeting” is the new hip thing. Hardcore techies have been using Twitter for over a year and have mixed feelings about. Disregarding their feelings completely, The Saiko can’t help but think that because of this new found buzz in the computer world Bit.ly can’t help but ride the wave.
The importance of URL shortening is simple. Because there is a 140 character limit on Twitter, sharing web links is a monumental challenge without companies like Bit.ly and Tiny URL. With these services, you can take a long web address and shorten it to a few characters so that it will fit within the 140 character limit on Twitter. Take a look below to see how it works.
Pre URL Shortener:
http://thesaiko.com/2009/04/28/can-maldives-become-the-first-carbon-neutral-nation/
Post URL Shortener:
http://bit.ly/CCWR3
You’ll notice that they both go to the same place, but the second listing is 1/4 of the length. Many of you may be wondering why micro-blogs like Twitter and URL Shorteners like Bit.ly are relevant. The Saiko’s opinion is that many of the younger generations have a need to be heard and/or unique. There is so much clutter in daily lives that people feel like they are being swallowed up. Some people utilize it as a platform to drive people back to their website. That’s what Los Angeles-based marketing and promotins start-up Qmania is doing with their Tweets.
However people opt to use them, there will still be a large percentage of people that will never have a need for a URL shortener…at least not yet.
