Why are shortened links not allowed?

[iKingRPG]

I always used them on this forum, then this happened. @SansVarnic. Why? @LinusTechwhy are they not allowed?

[Glenwing]

We don't know where they link to.

[Guest]

Exactly, could be anything from a harmless website to a phishing website.

 

Can't be too careful these days.

[iKingRPG]

19 minutes ago, Arika S said:

They can be used to direct to malicious websites since there is no way of confirming the landing page before clicking on them.

@LinusTechim pretty sure you can block them in admincp. Plus I could say "click here for a PC build list" and you don't know where it takes you too. If Linus wants he could enable a thing in the admin cp that shortens all links to bit.ly. plus you know if it is Amazon links since it will be anzm.to.

 

I think there is even an option to embed all links. And idk if there is something you can download that warns you for dangerous links or something. Also are shortened links fine if they are amzn.to or bbc.in, etc.

 

I honestly don't care and probably would never do this but does it count if I redirect a sub domain?

[iKingRPG]

8 hours ago, Netivity said:

Exactly, could be anything from a harmless website to a phishing website.

Can't be too careful these days.

@Netivity ok Mac.

 

7 hours ago, Arika S said:

why would you need to even do that? just post a normal link

Idk lol

[iKingRPG]

7 minutes ago, VegetableStu said:

dude this isn't twitter, lol ._. just post the full link

I know I just usually use bit.ly or something so I can see how many people. Click I but it is okay.

[SansVarnic]

2 hours ago, iKingRPG said:

I always used them on this forum, then this happened. @SansVarnic. Why? @LinusTechwhy are they not allowed?

 

I quote the CS;

Quote

No spam

• LMGTFY (Let Me Google That For You) links or comments in the same spirit.
• Post count / reputation farming.
• 'Ask Me Anything’ threads.
• Shortened links (bit.ly etc) without the permission of staff.

 

[Mira Yurizaki]

1 hour ago, iKingRPG said:

I know I just usually use bit.ly or something so I can see how many people. Click I but it is okay.

That there tells me you want something out of it. Something I'm pretty sure most of us don't care about

[Ashleyyyy]

9 hours ago, iKingRPG said:

Plus I could say "click here for a PC build list" and you don't know where it takes you too.

[LogicalDrm]

17 hours ago, iKingRPG said:

@LinusTechim pretty sure you can block them in admincp. Plus I could say "click here for a PC build list" and you don't know where it takes you too. If Linus wants he could enable a thing in the admin cp that shortens all links to bit.ly. plus you know if it is Amazon links since it will be anzm.to.

....

Firstly, Linus doesn't decide this kind of miniscule stuff. They have moderators and admins running things for a reason. If there would be something on forum requiring intervention from LMG staff, administration have ways to get in touch with them.

 

Secondly, LMG staff uses shortened links for their sponsor stuff, giveaways etc. So banning them altogether isn't beneficial. Same reason why there isn't full blacklisting on eBay, Craigslist etc. sites which are also not allowed to post. Or using LMGTFY links.

 

Thirdly, unless you use some addon which shortens links automatically, you are going through extra step and wasting everyones time. Yours included.