Twitter link shortener (t.co) and how it works

You cannot opt out of link shortening. Can I still use a URL shortener (like bit.ly) to shorten links? If you want to shorten links ... Skiptomaincontent HelpCenter AboutTwitter'slinkservice(http://t.co) Belowaresomefrequentlyaskedquestionsaboutt.co,Twitter'slink-shorteningservice. Howdoeslinkshorteningwork?   LinkssharedonTwitter,includinglinkssharedinDirectMessages,willautomaticallybeprocessedandshortenedtoanhttp://t.colink.Learnhowtoshortenlinks.Pleasenote:anyonewithat.coshortenedlinkwillbeabletonavigatetothedestinationURL.   WhydoesTwitterhaveitsownlinkshortener?   ShortenedlinksallowyoutosharelongURLsinaTweetwhilemaintainingthemaximumnumberofcharactersforyourmessage.Ourlinkservicemeasuresinformationsuchashowmanytimesalinkhasbeenclicked,whichisanimportantqualitysignalindetermininghowrelevantandinterestingeachTweetiswhencomparedtosimilarTweets.Havingalinkshortenerprotectsusersfrommalicioussitesthatengageinspreadingmalware,phishingattacks,andotherharmfulactivity.AlinkconvertedbyTwitter’slinkserviceischeckedagainstalistofpotentiallydangeroussites.UsersarewarnedwiththeerrormessagebelowwhenclickingonpotentiallyharmfulURLs.    IftheURLofasiteyoumanagehasbeenflagged,pleaseseethishelppageaboutflaggedURLsformoreinformation. CanIoptoutoflinkshorteningwhenIpostlinksonTwitter?   Becauseofthereasonslistedabove,TwitterwillshortenURLsyoupostonTwitter.Youcannotoptoutoflinkshortening.    CanIstilluseaURLshortener(likebit.ly)toshortenlinks?   Ifyouwanttoshortenlinkstosharewithothers,pleaseseethishelppageon howtopostlinks onTwitter.YoucancontinuetouseaURLshortenertoshortenlinks,andtrackingmetrics(likethosefrombit.ly)willcontinuetoworkastheydidpreviously.Thelinkserviceathttp://t.coisonlyusedonlinkspostedonTwitterandisnotavailableasageneralshorteningserviceonotherappsorsites. Sharethisarticle Tweet ByusingTwitter’sservicesyouagreetoourCookiesUse.Weusecookiesforpurposesincludinganalytics,personalisation,andads. OK