A simple url shortener

A simple URL shortener is a tool that takes a long, cumbersome web address (URL) and transforms it into a much shorter, more manageable link.

Think of it as a digital nickname. When someone clicks the short link, the service automatically redirects them to the original, longer destination.

How It Works

The process is straightforward and happens in a fraction of a second:

1. Submission: You paste a long link (e.g., a 200-character Amazon product link) into the shortener.

2. Mapping: The tool generates a unique "key" (like dood.onl/ou9wdt) and stores it in a database alongside your long link.

3. Redirection: When a user visits the short link, the server looks up that unique key, finds the original URL, and sends the user's browser there using a 301 redirect.

Why People Use Them

• Character Limits: Essential for platforms like X (Twitter) or SMS where every character counts.

• Aesthetics: Long URLs with messy strings of numbers and symbols look "spammy." Short links are much cleaner in emails, bios, or printed materials.

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