If you’ve been on twitter any length of time you’ve undoubtedly seen those shortened urls. If you’re like me and you’re paranoid skeptical about what’s behind those links fear no more. You really can see what they go to before you click them!
LongURL Mobile Expander is a Firefox add-on (for those using Firefox) that allows you to see what’s really behind links. It specifically says it can decode links from TinyURL.com but unfortunately it also says it doesn’t work with Firefox 3.6.8 yet (which is the latest version). If you’re running an older version it may work for you though.
TinyURL.com has a feature that you can enable to allow you to see what’s behind their links. Click that link to see info specific to TinyURL.com.
TheRealURL says this is what it does: To use, right-click over the link and select “Get TheRealURL” from the menu. This will query TheRealURL.net and display information about the link in the browser’s status bar, including the unshortened URL, the page title and content type. You can configure the data displayed using the add on’s preferences menu.
bit.ly preview is another Firefox add-on (That I use) that allows you to see what’s behind those ever so popular bit.ly links. Just mouse over the link and wait a second!
So you see there’s no excuse to click links when you’re not sure where they lead. I realize many of these are specific for Firefox but seriously–if you’re using Internet Explorer-why? 
Firefox is awesome and if anyone has any suggestions for IE specific applications feel free to leave them in the comments.
That’s it for this week’s edition of Tweet Me Tuesday. Want to participate? Here’s how:
- Check out Melinda’s Blog. She’s the genius who came up with Tweet Me Tuesday!
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{ 3 comments… read them below or add one }
Hi Kristen, Great tips. These were all new-to-me. Thanks for the info and have a TERRIF week.
Twitter: SomebodysParent
August 3, 2010
Nominated you for a blog award Kristen! Enjoy!
Amy´s last post ..What I burnt on my summer vacation- August 2- 2010
Twitter: MelindaMeans
August 3, 2010
Great tips! I love bit.ly too, but didn’t know it had the ability to tell you the real sources of urls. As usual, you enlighten me!
Thank you so much for your boost of confidence before She Speaks! It did go really well … going to blog about it later this week!
Melinda´s last post ..Tweet Me Tuesday- Auto-Reply