Best Free Short URLs / Url Redirection / URL Forwarding

URL Redirection (also know as URL forwarding) is the ability to redirect or forward i.e. point one URL / Web Address to another - at zero cost to you.

The creators of these useful web tools have developed a way for you to conveniently create short urls to hide lonnnng ugly affiliate links, redirect web traffic -- and some have even gotten so advanced that they provide you with a free hit counter and/or free hit tracking, enabling you to see how many hits a particular link is getting -- and even more so where those hits are generating from.

These are all very useful features that you can find with free URL redirection.

Being that finding the Best Free URL Redirection services can be a daunting task - believe me I know! - I've researched & tested more of 'em than I care to mention -- I've eliminated the grunt-work for you in my compiled list of Best Free URL Redirection Tools!

Let's kick it off with...

TinyURL

* Basic URL Forwarding -- Yup! :-)
* Hide / Cloak URLs -- Nope! :-(
* Generate Keyword-Rich URL -- Yup! :-)
* Create MetaTags -- Nope! :-(
* Hit Counter -- Nope! :-(
* Hit Tracking -- Nope! :-(
* Link Editing -- Nope! :-(
* Referral/affiliate Program -- Nope! :-(

Additional Info: TinyUrl is by far the most popular of all free url redirection services. It has been around for years and is a leader in its field. However, just because it's the most popular and widely used -- and quite possibly the oldest out there -- this doesn't necessarily mean that it's the best choice for your situation. TinyURL may or may not turn out to be your #1 favorite. We shall see ~ let's continue...

SnipURL

* Basic URL Forwarding -- Yup! :-)
* Hide / Cloak URLs -- Nope! :-(
* Generate Keyword-Rich URL -- Yup! :-)
* Create MetaTags -- Nope! :-(
* Hit Counter -- Yup! :-)
* Hit Tracking -- Yup! :-)
* Link Editing -- Yup! :-)
* Referral/affiliate Program -- Nope! :-(

Additional Info: SnipUrl is a risING Star short url service. It is very similar to TinyUrl but it has added benefits! The major ADvantages are the variety of short punchy URL options, the tracking features and the fact that they have integrated networks like Twitter, Myspace and Facebook - so you can easily post your newly created links to them with one click of your mouse!

ViralURL

* Basic URL Forwarding -- Nope! :-(
* Hide / Cloak URLs -- Yup! :-)
* Generate Keyword-Rich URL -- Yup! :-)
* Create MetaTags -- Nope! :-(
* Hit Counter -- Yup! :-)
* Hit Tracking -- Yup! :-)
* Link Editing -- Yup! :-)
* Referral/affiliate Program -- Yup! :-)

Additional Info: ViralUrl is designed to enable you to take advantage of power of viral marketing / viral advertising so that your marketing efforts can have the chance to spread exponentially. This service is under very attentive, responsive and progressive management and has great support. I do like this service, however, the only thing I don't like about it is that many people's computer anti-virus will block the viewing of you viralurl link ad. Why? you guessed it, simply because it has the word "Viral" in it. Although it's not an actual virus some anti-virus programs take the word literally and block your ad losing you traffic. This is something for you to keep in mind.

The MiniURL

* Basic URL Forwarding -- Nope! :-(
* Hide / Cloak URLs -- Yup! :-)
* Generate Keyword-Rich URL -- Nope! :-(*
* Create MetaTags -- Nope! :-(
* Hit Counter -- Yup! :-)
* Hit Tracking -- Nope! :-(*
* Link Editing -- Yup! :-)
* Referral/affiliate Program -- Yup! :-)

**Additional Info: With The MiniURL, hit tracking and custom label generation is not available as a free feature but currently activated for Paid Members Only. Overall this tool seems to be pretty stable; I've kept my eye on them for over the past 6 months and they're still here - which is a key reason why they've managed to make the cut on my Best Free URL Redirection List!

CO.CC


* Basic URL Forwarding -- Yup! ::-)
* Hide / Cloak URLs -- Yup! :-)
* Generate Keyword-Rich URL -- Yup! :-)
* Create MetaTags -- Yup! :-)
* Hit Counter -- Yup! :-)
* Hit Tracking -- Nope! :-(
* Link Editing -- Yup! :-)
* Referral/affiliate Program -- Yup! :-)

Additional Info: I believe the 'site visitor hit counter' is kinda new with this service - so although it's labeled there - reports may not show as of yet. Contact support for further inquiries on this. CO.CC is more than just your standard free URL redirection service -- it is just like having your own free domain name! They could easily charge for this service but they don't...at least not right now that is. Who knows how long this free opportunity will last??? My Advice: Grab Yours Free While You Still Can!

ShortURL

* Basic URL Forwarding -- Yup! :-)
* Hide / Cloak URLs -- Yup! :-)
* Generate Keyword-Rich URL -- Yup! :-)
* Create MetaTags -- Yup! :-)
* Hit Counter -- Yup! :-)
* Hit Tracking -- Yup! :-)
* Link Editing -- Yup! :-)
* Referral/affiliate Program -- Yup! :-)*

Additional Info: ShortURL has been doing its thang since 1999! This free URL redirection/ URL shortener service has an array of features you'd be hard-pressed to find in other tools of its kind. NOTE: This service is set-up for Full Management over One Link per account; to manage separate links you'll have to create separate accounts. If you're into more advanced analysis, reports & tools -- then ShortURL may be the one for you!

*not an affiliate program (or even a standard referral program) however, with each referral you generate, you'll have a 'Chance' to win your own Top-Level domain name and added domain services.