You want to share a long website link on social media. The link is 127 characters long: https://www.example-website.com/products/electronics/computers/laptops/gaming-laptops-under-1000?filter=brand&brand=dell It is awkward. It takes up space. It looks unprofessional. A URL shortener converts this long link into something short and manageable: https://short.link/abc123 URL shorteners are used everywhere: social media, emails, text messages, QR codes, and anywhere a shorter link is needed. In this comprehensive guide, we will explore what URL shorteners are, how they work, why they exist, their benefits and risks, and how to use them correctly. 1. What is a URL Shortener? A URL shortener is a service that converts long web addresses into short, easy-to-share links. The Basic Concept You provide a long URL (web address) The shortener creates a short, abbreviated version You share or use the short link When someone clicks the short link, they are redirected to the original long URL Why...