IT Services

Applications and tools

Other computing

SLINK

Please note: The SLINK (Shorter Links for Bristol users) service is no longer available.

Existing links

Links created by SLINK will remain active until the 31 August 2012

Please feedback to the IT Service Desk, service-desk@bristol.ac.uk, if this is a problem.

Rules for using short urls

  • Only shorten urls when absolutely necessary. It is better to provide the original url unless it is impractical to do so.
  • If you are looking to promote a web page on the University website to the public it is possible to request a short 'www.bristol.ac.uk/XXX' url from Communications and Marketing (web-editor@bristol.ac.uk)
  • Do not use an external short url  for pages which ask users to submit credentials or to go to Single Sign On.
  • If using an external short url provider use one which provides a preview service (see below).

Preview option

If you wish to create short links for long urls we suggest using an external service which provides a preview option. This allows those using the short link to see where the link is going before going to the site.

Example of providers include v.gd and TinyUrl.

  • v.gd provides an automatic preview service for short urls.
  • TinyURL also provides a preview service. There is an option provided when creating a TinyUrl or by inserting 'preview' at the beginning of the url http://preview.tinyurl.com/XXXX.

Both services require you to confirm that you want to progress to the page.