Simplify URL Shortening: Create and Copy Short URLs with a Single Click Using Chrome Extensions

Sharing long URLs via social media or email can look cluttered and take up unnecessary space.

This is where shortened URLs come in handy, but visiting a dedicated website to shorten URLs each time can feel a bit tedious.

In this post, we’ll introduce the Chrome extension “URL Shortener & Automatic copy“, which leverages the X.gd service to create shortened URLs effortlessly.

With this extension, there’s no need to visit a website every time—just one click, and you have your shortened URL ready to go!

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GoogleスプレッドシートとGASでまとめて短縮URLを作成する方法 | 合同会社橋爪オフィス 前回の記事（Chrome拡張機能で短縮URLをワンクリック作成＆コピー）では、Chrome拡張機能を使った短縮URLの作成方法をご紹介しましたが、これはURLを一つずつ変換するのに…

About X.gd

X.gd is a free URL shortening service operated by a Japanese company.

It’s known for its simple, user-friendly design and does not require any user registration. Additionally, it offers built-in analytics features.

With X.gd, you can track the number of clicks on your shortened URLs and gain insights into the sources of the traffic. This makes it an invaluable tool for marketing and promotional activities.

By leveraging these features, you can measure link performance and identify which links successfully captured user interest.

Example Output

Create and Copy Shortened URLs with Just a Click on the Chrome Extension Icon
The URL shortening tool X.gd is free to use and requires no registration.

When you install the Chrome extension “URL Shortener & Automatic copy”, an icon is added to your toolbar.

With just a single click on the icon, the URL of your current page is shortened and automatically copied to your clipboard.

This makes it effortless to create a short URL and immediately share it via social media, messaging apps, or other platforms.

Steps

STEP

Access the Chrome Web Store

Go to the Chrome Web Store and search for the “URL Shortener & Automatic Copy” extension.

Then, click the “Add to Chrome” button to install it.

STEP

Add the Extension

Click “Add Extension” to proceed.

Once the icon is added to your toolbar, the setup is complete.

STEP

How to Generate a Shortened URL

On the page with the URL you want to shorten, click the extension icon in the Chrome toolbar.

The extension will automatically generate a shortened URL using X.gd and copy it directly to your clipboard.

Comparison of URLs Before and After Shortening

Before Shortening

https://www.google.com/maps/dir/%E6%9D%B1%E4%BA%AC%E9%A7%85,+%E6%97%A5%E6%9C%AC%E3%80%81%E3%80%92100-0005+%E6%9D%B1%E4%BA%AC%E9%83%BD%E5%8D%83%E4%BB%A3%E7%94%B0%E5%8C%BA%E4%B8%B8%E3%81%AE%E5%86%85%EF%BC%91%E4%B8%81%E7%9B%AE/%E6%B5%85%E8%8D%89,+%E6%97%A5%E6%9C%AC%E3%80%81%E3%80%92111-0032+%E6%9D%B1%E4%BA%AC%E9%83%BD%E5%8F%B0%E6%9D%B1%E5%8C%BA/%E5%85%AD%E6%9C%AC%E6%9C%A8%E3%83%92%E3%83%AB%E3%82%BA,+%E6%97%A5%E6%9C%AC%E3%80%81%E3%80%92106-6108+%E6%9D%B1%E4%BA%AC%E9%83%BD%E6%B8%AF%E5%8C%BA%E5%85%AD%E6%9C%AC%E6%9C%A8%EF%BC%96%E4%B8%81%E7%9B%AE%EF%BC%91%EF%BC%90%E2%88%92%EF%BC%91/%E6%9D%B1%E4%BA%AC%E3%82%BF%E3%83%AF%E3%83%BC,+%E6%97%A5%E6%9C%AC%E3%80%81%E3%80%92105-0011+%E6%9D%B1%E4%BA%AC%E9%83%BD%E6%B8%AF%E5%8C%BA%E8%8A%9D%E5%85%AC%E5%9C%92%EF%BC%94%E4%B8%81%E7%9B%AE%EF%BC%92%E2%88%92%EF%BC%98/@35.6877254,139.7218896,13z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m25!4m24!1m5!1m1!1s0x60188bfbd89f700b:0x277c49ba34ed38!2m2!1d139.7671248!2d35.6812362!1m5!1m1!1s0x60188ec2047f5333:0x7c84fd3881c74067!2m2!1d139.7958849!2d35.7185858!1m5!1m1!1s0x60188b771049dc33:0x5bfe0248594cc802!2m2!1d139.7300767!2d35.6602384!1m5!1m1!1s0x60188bbd9009ec09:0x481a93f0d2a409dd!2m2!1d139.7454329!2d35.6585805?entry=ttuu0026amp;g_ep=EgoyMDI0MTAyOS4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D

After Shortening

https://x.gd/MDyqI

The generated shortened URL is automatically copied to your clipboard, allowing you to paste it directly where needed (e.g., social media, messaging apps, or emails).

With just this operation, sharing links becomes quick and easy.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Shortened URLs

Advantages

Saves space in links

Using shortened URLs makes links more concise, making them easier to share on social media or via email.

This is especially beneficial on social media platforms with character limits, where shortened URLs provide a significant advantage.

Tracks the number of clicks

Some URL shortening services, like X.gd, allow you to track click counts and referral sources. This makes them valuable tools for marketing and analytics.

Makes link management easier

Shortened URLs are easy to manage and convenient for organizing and using multiple links for different purposes.

Disadvantages

Difficult to verify the reliability of the destination

Shortened URLs hide the destination link, which may cause recipients to feel uneasy.

Some people may avoid clicking on unfamiliar shortened URLs.

Risk of service interruptions

If a URL shortening service shuts down, there is a risk that the links will become invalid.

Conclusion

With the Chrome extension “URL Shortener & Automatic Copy,” there’s no need to visit a website every time you want to shorten a URL.

It simplifies sharing links via social media or email and makes link management more efficient.

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