goo.gl 2016-07-14 : Java Glossary

Google’s service that lets you create abbreviations for long URLs (Uniform Resource Locators). They never expire (unless, of course, the host goes out of business). You can use them in emails or newsgroup postings. When people use the abbreviation goo.gl redirects to the long URL (Uniform Resource Locator) which can have complicated search or other CGI (Common Gateway Interface) parameters.

For example, instead of typing http://mindprod.com/jgloss/jgloss.html
you could just type http://goo.gl/gK9Unt

Make sure you test your tiny url before you pass it around. The links last indefinitely, or at least until the Google withdraws the service.