Many have probably seen or used tiny URLs. These are great for use with character limited texting like twitter and mobile messages. However, it is bad when it is used on regular website for many reasons. Though it is convenient, I will get right to the point as why it shouldn't be used.

Why shouldn't you use tiny URLs or similar services?

1. It has a single point of failure. If the service is down or out of business so is all your links and all your efforts would have been wasted.

2. It creates distrust because links are hidden or masked. Users do not know what they are clicking on or where it will send them.

3. Such servcies can also send malware, viruses, spyware or a number of potential threats.

4. Short URLs will hurt your ranking in search engine. Short URL users will be hurting themselves and the site or products they are promoting.

So, if you are a webmaster, blogger or a marketer it is best not to use short URLs. The above is only a small list of reasons. I am sure you can probably think of many more reason why it shouldn't be used.

Key Words: Short-URLs Tiny-URLs