The Possible Pitfalls of Free URL Redirection (and how to prevent them) 

Free URL redirection is a convenient and practical way of using a very effective online technique that many are using to their advantage. URL forwarding, as it is also called, has a number of benefits. When used effectively and intelligently, this technique can lead to increase in visitors, increase in revenue, and improvements in online search rankings. However, when used haphazardly without giving it much thought, it can have adverse effects. As it is, free URL redirection is practical because it is, as the term already describes, free of charge. But as with most things, the use of this technique may entail a number of risks. So what are these risks of free URL redirection? And how can webmasters and website owners prevent these risks from affecting one’s site? After all, free URL redirection can be sufficient; it is best to just find one’s way around the limitations rather than avoid it all together.

One of the pitfalls of free URL redirection is the limitation of the technology of URL redirection itself. It isn’t so much that it is free, since the technology in itself is limited. Among the limitations is the fact that free short URL may not be properly indexed by online search engines.

A more glaring risk or limitation of free URL redirection is the advertisements. When one uses a free URL redirection service, for instance, one has to contend with the fact that the redirection service provider will implement ads on the user website. Therefore, when a visitor accesses your site through the URL redirect, there will ads placed by the service provider. Advertisements can be a burden when they affect the layout of the site, or if the site has ads placed beforehand. Imagine having additional ads besides the ones the site already had. This can be very unsightly, although beyond the aesthetic value of the site, it does not do much harm.

Another evident limitation is the codes and cookies on the user site using free URL redirection. Majority of free URL redirection services do not work support cookies. However, as with the first limitation, this is a limitation of the technology itself rather than just free URL redirection. This will only cease to be a problem if the service offers DNS support. The inactivity limit set by the service provider can be a concern. This limit deactivates the URL redirect when the website or the short URL becomes inactive—which means the redirect will cease working if it does not get any visitors or clicks. The limit is acceptable and expected, since some free URL redirection services are not intended for prolonged use anyway.

As for the risks, many are concerns that hackers can use the redirects to their advantage. If not, the providers themselves can use it to redirect the visitors to other sites instead of the user site it was intended for. While the concern is certainly valid (as in, it could possibly happen), it can be remedied by choosing a free URL redirection reliable service provider.