The URL Shortener makes short links through the free v.gd service (with is.gd as a backup). Its messages mean:
“The shortening service could not be reached”
Your connection, or a blocker, stopped the request. Check your internet, pause your blocker for this site, and try again.
“That custom ending is taken”
Someone already uses that ending. Try another word, or leave Custom ending empty for a random one. Endings can be 5 to 30 letters, numbers or underscores.
“The link could not be shortened”
- Check that the link is complete and starts with https:// or http://.
- v.gd may refuse some links, for example links to sites it considers unsafe, or links that are already short.
Your recent links
The tool lists the links you made, saved in this browser only. Short links are kept by v.gd / is.gd and don’t expire.
Other messages
- That doesn’t look like a web link. It should start with https://: copy the full address from the browser’s address bar, including
https://. - The custom ending needs 5–30 letters, numbers or underscores (no dashes or spaces):
my_shop_2026works;my-shopdoesn’t.
Example
A long Google Form link like https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQL…/viewform becomes something like https://v.gd/my_survey, easy to say on a call or print on a poster.
Good to know
- Short links can’t be edited or deleted later. If the destination changes, make a new short link.
- Some people distrust short links. For WhatsApp or SMS to customers, a link with your own domain builds more trust.
- Make a QR code of the short link with QR Code Generator; shorter links make simpler QR codes.
- Clear this list removes your recent links from this browser only; the links keep working.
Tool: URL Shortener
Still stuck?
Contact support. Tell us which tool or page you were using, what you tapped, what you saw, and your phone or computer and browser (for example: Android phone, Chrome). We reply by email.
Questions, or an error not listed here?
Tell us in the comments: what you were doing, the exact message you saw, and your device and browser. We read every comment and add new fixes to this article.