This guide is designed to help developers migrate from using the Google URL Shortener to Firebase Dynamic Links for shortening links. For more background about why Firebase Dynamic Links is replacing Google URL Shortener, check out the blog post.
Short links created using Firebase Dynamic Links, unlike links created with URL Shortener, contain a brief string that represents the Apple or Android app that could be used to open the link. For example:
| URL Shortener | Firebase Dynamic Links |
|---|---|
| https://goo.gl/xyz | https://example.page.link/xyz |
To create short links with Firebase Dynamic Links:
If you don't already have a Firebase project, create a new project or import a Google Cloud project in the Firebase console.
If you want your short link to open in your app on Apple and Android, and for the link to work across app installation, add your Apple and Android apps to your Firebase project from the Project Overview page of the Firebase console, then see the Dynamic Links developer guides.
If you only want to create short links for web URLs, you may skip adding mobile apps in your Firebase project from the Project Overview page of the Firebase console. (Specify any value for the bundle ID and skip the subsequent steps).
Create new Dynamic Links either from the Dynamic Links section of the Firebase console, or by using the REST API.