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by pdkl95 4409 days ago
> t.co -> j.mp -> pocket.co -> getpocket.com -> bit.ly -> $PROPER_URL

Wow, so many different people tracking a single link.

These are super annoying once they changed to storing the actual URL on the server. The old "redirect?to=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.example.com" style could be re-written on the client to remove the click-tracking, but by storing it on the server, you have to be tracked to get the URL. These seriously need to go away - that's way too many tracking databases just waiting to get a subpoena or "national security letter".

--

side note: The only time I ever used a url shortener was for a meme that unfortunately never went anywhere:

http://preview.tinyurl.com/feckless-imbroglio

edit: typo

1 comments

It seems really strange that the person would use this many link shortners, are you sure it wasn't a malicious link? Back when I used to clickjack we used to mask our website by using multiple link shortners and other tricks to hide the website from Twitters automated checker.
It's the Pocket to Buffer to Twitter workflow. Pocket adds getpocket.com and pocket.co, Buffer adds j.mp, Twitter adds t.co.
They don't use link shorteners, but Ars Technica has posted links with that many redirects on their "deals" page. I'm guessing it's a series of affiliate links or something. The "Logitech MK520" link on this page has 7 redirects. https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2014/05/thursday-dealmaster-...