Bitly is a helpful URL shortener that Ive utilized for several years. As a signed up user I can develop custom, shortened URLs that people can really spell. I utilize these whenever I need to share a link to a Canva or Google Slides presentation because the default URLs provided by those services are incoherent and always long..

This post originally appeared on FreeTech4Teachers.com. It has been utilized without permission if you see it somewhere else.

Bitly is an useful URL shortener that Ive used for numerous years. There is a simple way to rapidly identify whats behind a Bitly URL without in fact clicking on the link. The trick is to merely add a “+” to the end of any Bitly URL. When you include the “+” the URL will reroute to Bitly rather of to whatever the original URL was.

Heres a video summary of how to see whats behind a TinyURL without actually clicking on the link.

If you desire to try this with a TinyURL, tinyurl.com/emkns9a8 will lead you to the page for the Practical Ed Tech Virtual Summer Camp, however adding a “+” at the end of that TinyURL will take you to the page where you can see the initial link without clicking on it.

Applications for Education.
Structure great digital citizenship and cyber security abilities is something that everybody should be helping our students do. Revealing them little pointers like this one to prevent clicking on suspicious links is one of the manner ins which we can assist our trainees develop their digital citizenship and cyber safety abilities.

Regrettably, not all Bitly users are using them for excellent factors. Some individuals utilize them to conceal wicked links. There is a simple method to quickly determine whats behind a Bitly URL without actually clicking on the link. The technique is to merely include a “+” to the end of any Bitly URL. When you add the “+” the URL will redirect to Bitly rather of to whatever the initial URL was. That will then show you the Bitly page on which the shortened URL is hosted and will reveal you what the original link was..
You can attempt this technique with a URL that I just recently reduced. Bit.ly/ THWTAPRIL will lead you directly to a copy of the slides that I utilized in my current Intro to Teaching History With Technology webinar. Bit.ly/ THWTAPRIL+ will lead you to the Bitly page where you can see my original discussion URL and see when I created the shortened URL..
See this brief video to see how you can utilize the “+” technique to learn whats hidden behind a Bitly link..

As I do every year, Im taking today as a break from releasing brand-new blog site posts and will be republishing a few of the most popular posts of the year. Heres one from April.