How Does a URL Shortener Work?
What a URL shortener does
A URL shortener is a tool that converts a long URL into a short one. The long URL and short URL are stored in a database. When the short URL is clicked on, the server looks up the long URL and redirects to the long URL. It's a simple concept but gets more complex when you add analytics and link management features supported in services such as T.LY.
Step 1: Enter the long URL
The process starts when a user pastes a destination URL into the shortener.
Step 2: Create the short link
The service generates a unique short code that becomes the new shortened URL.
Step 3: Store the URL mapping
The long URL and the short URL are saved in a database so the short code can be resolved later.
Step 4: Redirect visitors
When someone opens the short link, the server looks up the short code and redirects the visitor to the original long URL.
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Tim Leland
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