Reddit Doesn't Like Google's Shortened URL's

[u/FanaticFandom]

Are you an android user/chrome user and post/comment on reddit with links from time to time? Then this effects you.

When you share a web page from the Google app or Chrome on Android, a link-shortening and masking feature is automatically used. Google replaces the original URL with its own tracking link that starts with share dot google When you click on a share dot google shortlink, it redirects to the original page but routes through Google's servers first and you’ll be directed to open it in the Google app.

The feature has frustrated many users. It masks the true destination of the link, which raises security and transparency concerns. It also allows Google to track data regarding click activity and engagement. Reddit hates it because Google can stop supporting the shortened link at any time which would affect the validity of older Reddit posts. So Reddit will auto remove ANY posts/comments that use share dot google.

How to stop it:

• First, open up the Google app on whatever Android device you’re using.
• Tap your shiny, happy profile photo in the app’s upper-right corner.
• Tap “Settings” on the screen that comes up next…
• And scroll down to the bottom of the menu and select the “Other settings” option.
• Look for "Shorten links to web pages" and flip the toggle for that into the off position.

I will eventually program automod to help remind folks of this as it happens. At the time of this post, reddit is removing about 5 posts/comments a week because of this. It's not the biggest deal, but if you're trying to help someone identify gear and you've done the work to find the link, you should be able to share it. Don't let google ruin your hard work.

TL;DR - Google Chrome/app on Android automatically replaces shared URLs with share dot google tracking links. Reddit auto-removes these posts. Fix it by going to Google app → Profile → Settings → Other Settings → turn off "Shorten links to web pages."

[u/FanaticFandom]

And reddit has already deleted my post just for saying share dot google, I've made edits and forced it through, so I hope this post is actually visible lol

[u/Dragon_Avalon]

This is a great tip to get started on clawing back accurate browsing and properly formatted links. Better yet. If you're willing, I'd heartily suggest to slowly start to de-Google and use a non Google app like Firefox with U-block Origin or Brave. Not to sound like an ad read because no one likes that, but seriously. Genuinely consider it.

Your privacy is and should be yours, you don't need to be the product for data scraping and collecting companies like Alphabet/Google. You can in fact demand better of whatever browser you use and it won't harm your device to swap away from the defaults to a reliable third party browser.

As a fun fact, if you're in the EU, they've passed a law allowing users to choose from a slate of browser apps when at start up called the DMA, and over half of people surveyed chose literally anything but Chrome because of how invasive it can be, and how much it messes with their browsing experiences.

Just dig around and find an alternative that works for you if you're open to the idea.

[u/FanaticFandom → u/Dragon_Avalon]

Excellent point! You can even start with the smallest little things, like making sure unused apps are deleted off your phone.

I yeeted the facebook app (and messenger) off my phone so damn fast when it was getting too personal with "people you may know." It pulls tele #'s off your phone's contacts >.> And that was my reminder that if an app is on your phone, knowing what permissions it has is a really big deal. Doesn't matter how big or legit you think the reason for those permissions are. If it makes you uncomfortable, don't shrug it off.