Goodbye Bitly… New Preview Page is a Major Step Back

For years, Bitly has been the go-to URL shortening service for marketers, creators, and businesses alike, offering a quick and efficient way to share links without unnecessary clutter.

But with its latest change announced today, Bitly is undermining the very convenience that made it so popular in the first place, and the results could be a frustrating experience for users across the board.

Bitly’s New Preview Page: An Unwanted Intrusion

In an announcement today that has left many users scratching their heads, Bitly revealed that starting next month, when someone clicks on a Bitly link or scans a Bitly QR code, they’ll be redirected to a preview page before reaching the intended destination.

This page, according to Bitly, will contain information about the link destination and might even display ads.

This new “feature” is a glaring step backward, introducing an unnecessary and disruptive roadblock in the user experience.

Instead of delivering users straight to the content they want, Bitly’s preview page forces an additional click and adds friction to what should be a simple, seamless interaction.

The Painful Reality: More Clicks, More Frustration

In a world where speed and convenience are paramount, forcing users to navigate through an extra step feels like a slap in the face. The very point of URL shorteners is to simplify the process of sharing links.

When users click a shortened link, they expect to be taken directly to the content—no detours, no delays. Introducing a preview page disrupts this fluid experience, adding unnecessary complexity and leading to more frustration.

This extra click will almost certainly cause people to abandon the link altogether, especially when they’re in a rush or simply annoyed by the delay.

For creators and businesses who rely on Bitly’s links for engagement, this could be a disaster—leading to decreased click-through rates and reduced conversions.

Trust Erosion: Is This Link Safe?

There’s also the issue of trust. Shortened links have always been somewhat controversial due to the lack of transparency—they hide the true destination, which can make users wary. While Bitly has built a reputation for being a reliable service, adding a preview page could inadvertently make people even more suspicious of what they’re clicking on.

The very thing that made Bitly trustworthy—its clean, direct links—is now being diluted by an unnecessary detour that could trigger alarm bells for users.

It’s not just about the extra step; it’s about the psychological impact of seeing a preview page that might display ads. For many, this immediately lowers their confidence in the link, questioning whether it’s really safe or if it’s just a marketing ploy.

Ads in Your Links? Are You Kidding?

As if the extra step wasn’t bad enough, Bitly has also mentioned that this preview page could include ads. Let that sink in for a second. Users clicking on a link they expect to be clean and straightforward could now be bombarded with ads before they even reach their destination.

This is a dealbreaker for many users, especially those in the marketing world who are trying to maintain a professional, ad-free environment for their audience.

For creators or businesses relying on Bitly to share their content, these ads could severely tarnish the user experience. Instead of offering a smooth, uninterrupted journey, your audience will now be subjected to irrelevant, potentially intrusive ads—all before they get to your carefully crafted content.

Paying for the Same Service? Seriously?

To make matters worse, Bitly is now charging users who want to bypass the preview page. That’s right—if you want to avoid the extra step and the ads, you’ll need to pay for one of their premium plans.

For a service that was once free and easy to use, this feels like a major money grab. Why should users have to pay to get back to the simple, straightforward service they originally signed up for?

The move is likely to alienate many who simply don’t see the value in paying for something that was once free and functional.

This change could lead to an exodus of users seeking simpler, more reliable alternatives, and Bitly may find itself losing its grip on the market as competitors who don’t introduce these annoying features continue to thrive.

Alternatives Are Looking Better Than Ever

Luckily, the internet is full of alternatives to Bitly that offer the same functionality without the intrusive preview page and annoying ads.

TinyURL, ShortURL, and others have built reputations for providing clean, straightforward URL shortening without unnecessary friction or forced ads. These services are looking more attractive than ever, and for users who are fed up with Bitly’s changes, they might just be the perfect replacement.

Conclusion: Bitly’s Big Mistake

Bitly’s decision to introduce a preview page with ads is a massive misstep, one that could have serious consequences for its user base.

For those who rely on the service for clean, efficient links, this change is a step backward. The added click, the introduction of ads, and the forced payment for premium plans are all major turn-offs for users who want a quick, no-nonsense link-sharing experience.

In short, Bitly has taken something that was simple and effective and made it more complicated, frustrating, and even more expensive.

For many users, it’s time to say goodbye to Bitly and explore alternatives that don’t stand in the way of delivering a seamless online experience.

Alex Harper

Alex Harper is a web designer and UX specialist with 8+ years of experience creating intuitive, user-friendly digital experiences. Known for blending creativity with functionality, Alex helps brands turn ideas into seamless designs that engage and inspire.