Short links are everywhere. You share them in chats, emails, social posts and documents every day. When a shortener suddenly starts forcing an intermediate preview page, the smooth experience breaks. That is exactly what happened with TinyURL’s older API, and it is why we just shipped URL Shortener Plus version 5.8.
In this post you will learn what changed, why we moved to the open-source spoo.me shortener, how the new flow works for you, and the quickest way to get the update on Chrome, Edge or Firefox. By the end you will be creating clean, direct short links again without extra clicks or surprises.
What Changed in Version 5.8
On 21 September 2026 we released URL Shortener Plus v5.8. The headline change is simple but important: TinyURL’s legacy API is being retired. That older endpoint used to return a clean short link that jumped straight to the destination. The new behaviour inserts a mandatory preview page, which adds friction for anyone who just wants the link to open immediately.
Rather than force users through an extra step, we switched the default shortener for TinyURL-style requests to spoo.me. The extension still supports the other providers you already know (Bitly, Rebrandly, is.gd, to.ly and more), but the TinyURL path now routes through a reliable, open-source alternative that keeps the one-click experience intact.
No settings overhaul was required. After you update, existing preferences stay in place and new short links created with the affected provider use the improved backend automatically.
Why We Chose spoo.me
We looked for a shortener that matched three practical requirements: open source, actively maintained, and free of forced intermediate pages. spoo.me ticks all three boxes.
- It is fully open source, so anyone can inspect the code and verify how links are handled.
- The project prioritises reliability and straightforward redirects.
- It avoids the preview-wall behaviour that appeared with the deprecated TinyURL API.
- It plays nicely with browser extensions and does not require complex authentication for basic shortening.
For everyday users this means shorter links that behave the way you expect: copy, paste, click, and arrive at the destination without an extra interstitial screen. For power users it means a transparent, community-backed service that is less likely to change the rules overnight.
Real Benefits You Will Notice Right Away
Switching the backend is more than a technical detail. It restores the core value of a good URL shortener: speed and predictability.
When you share a link in a group chat or a professional email, the recipient should land on the intended page immediately. Forced previews interrupt that flow and can even raise trust questions. With the spoo.me integration those interruptions disappear for the affected provider path.
You also keep the full feature set that made URL Shortener Plus popular in the first place:
- One-click shortening from the toolbar or context menu
- Support for multiple services so you can choose the domain style you prefer
- History of recently created links for quick reuse
- Lightweight design that stays out of the way while you browse
Whether you are a student sharing study resources, a marketer tracking campaign links, or simply someone who likes tidy URLs, the update removes a source of friction without asking you to learn a new workflow.
How to Update and Start Using the New Version
Getting v5.8 is straightforward. The extension is available for the three major desktop browsers we support.
For Google Chrome, visit the Chrome Web Store listing and click Update if the store shows a pending update, or simply open the Extensions page and choose “Update” under the three-dot menu. Edge users can do the same from the Microsoft Edge Add-ons page. Firefox users will find the latest build on the official Firefox Add-ons site.
After the update finishes, open the extension popup once. That single action confirms the new shortener is active. Create a test link and watch it resolve directly—no preview page in sight.
If you ever want to switch providers, the options panel still lets you pick Bitly, Rebrandly, is.gd or any of the other supported services. The change only affects the path that previously relied on the deprecated TinyURL API.
Practical Tips for Everyday Short-Link Success
A few small habits make short links even more useful:
- Keep the extension pinned to the toolbar so the popup is one click away.
- Use the right-click context menu on any selected URL or page for the fastest creation flow.
- Review your recent-links list before sharing again; it often already contains the clean version you need.
- When branding matters, choose a provider that offers custom domains and keep the rest of your links on the reliable default.
These practices work whether you are on a laptop at the office or a desktop at home. Because URL Shortener Plus stays lightweight, it does not slow down your browsing or compete with other productivity tools you already use.
If you also rely on our other extensions—such as Multi AI Sidebar for quick AI help or PiP – Picture in Picture Plus for floating video—you will notice the same attention to smooth, uninterrupted workflows across the suite. You can explore the full collection on the WWEvents Apps home page.
Looking Ahead and Staying Connected
Version 5.8 is a focused reliability release. We will continue watching the shortener landscape and will adapt quickly if any other provider changes its terms. Our goal remains the same: give you clean, direct short links with the least possible friction.
Have feedback or a feature request? The Contact page is always open. We read every message and use real-world input to decide what comes next.
Ready to restore friction-free short links? Update URL Shortener Plus today and enjoy the quieter, faster experience that v5.8 delivers.