URL Expander
See where any shortened URL goes before clicking. Works with Bitly, TinyURL, t.co, and all major URL shorteners. Free to use, no signup required.
See Full Redirect Chain
Track every redirect hop from short link to final destination with HTTP status codes.
Stay Safe Online
Verify where links go before clicking to avoid phishing and malicious sites.
Rich Previews
See page titles, descriptions, and images before visiting any link.
Check Specific Shorteners
Paste any shortened URL to see where it goes
Enter a shortened URL above to see where it goes
Why Check Shortened URLs?
Shortened URLs are convenient for sharing, but they hide the true destination. This makes them a favorite tool for scammers and cybercriminals who want to disguise malicious links. Before clicking any shortened URL, especially from unknown sources, it's wise to verify where it leads.
Our URL expander tool follows the redirect chain and reveals the final destination without actually visiting the page. This keeps you safe from phishing sites, malware downloads, and other online threats.
How to Spot Phishing Links
Check the Domain Carefully
Phishers often use domains that look similar to legitimate ones. Watch for misspellings like "paypa1.com" instead of "paypal.com" or extra subdomains like "paypal.security-update.com".
Look for HTTPS
Legitimate sites use HTTPS (secure connection). While having HTTPS doesn't guarantee a site is safe, lacking it is a red flag. Our expander shows you the protocol of the destination URL.
Verify Unexpected Links
If you receive a shortened link you weren't expecting—even from a friend—expand it first. Their account may have been compromised and used to spread malicious links.
Be Wary of Urgency
Messages claiming "Act now!" or "Your account will be closed!" paired with shortened links are classic phishing tactics. Take time to verify.
Need to Create Short Links?
Create safe, trackable short links with TrimLink. Privacy-first URL shortening with click analytics, custom domains, and no tracking pixels.
Popular URL Shorteners Explained
| Shortener | Domain | Owner | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bitly | bit.ly | Bitly, Inc. | Most popular, requires account |
| TinyURL | tinyurl.com | TinyURL, LLC | One of the oldest shorteners |
| Twitter/X | t.co | X Corp | Auto-used for all Twitter links |
| goo.gl | Discontinued but links still work | ||
| Rebrandly | rebrand.ly | Rebrandly | Custom domain focus |
| TrimLink | trim.link | TrimLink | Privacy-first, no tracking pixels |
How URL Shorteners Work
URL shorteners work by creating a redirect. When you create a short link, the service stores your original URL and assigns it a short code. When someone clicks the short link, the service looks up the code, finds the original URL, and redirects the visitor.
- You submit a long URL to the shortener
- The service generates a unique short code
- The mapping is stored in a database
- Visitors clicking the short link are redirected (301/302)
- Some services track clicks for analytics
Privacy Considerations
Click Tracking
Most shorteners track when, where, and how many times a link is clicked. This data is valuable for marketers but raises privacy concerns.
IP Logging
Your IP address may be logged when you click a shortened link. This can reveal your approximate location.
Cookies & Fingerprinting
Some services use cookies or browser fingerprinting to track users across multiple link clicks.
TrimLink's Approach
We believe in privacy-first link shortening. No tracking pixels, minimal data collection, and transparent practices.