Was given a bit.ly shortened link in my email from a former someone (ex-gf), a short note in it along with a link. Wouldn't mind finding out what the general subject is but from what I understand once you click on bit.ly links it is reported in the "clicks" report - for this situation would prefer to avoid it. Or, any way to click on a bit.ly without it registering in the clicks report? I tried one proxy server (kproxy) and it shows up as RU (Russia). Thanks.

In firefox type in the address bar view-source:bit.ly/exampleurl, then read the <title> tag.

Good luck.

edit: Actually I don't know how this would show in the reporting. It depends how they're tracking the clicks...a pixel-fire or server-side code...

Edited March 14, 201115 yr by danbradster

Hmmm, very interesting, hadn't heard of that before.

After doing numerous other google search queries I stumbled across a blog that also gives the advice to just add a '+' and it gives the info as well. All very good stuff as a person should at least have an idea of what he's clicking.

Thanks.

This online tool shows the URL that is hidden: http://longurl.org/

Edited March 14, 201115 yr by bangkokcitylimits

This online tool shows the URL that is hidden: http://longurl.org/

This method will suit you if you are a heavy internet user (especially for bloggers) and you come across the shortened links quite frequently. In this case we recommend you to install a longURL tool as either a Firefox extension or Greasemonkey script. Doing this will allow you to preview or examine a short URL without visiting the longURL website.

Once you’re done with the installation you can examine or preview any shortened link by simply hovering the mouse over it.

Several plugins exists for Chrome as well, for example ChromeMUSE - Multi-URL Shortener/Expander

Thanks for that. I'm done for now but those are several good options for next time. The link in question, by the way, turned out to be nothing of concern even though I wasn't too sure at first.