Google has said vanity URLs for Google Plus might be a security risk and wont allow them. A Google+ profile or page URL looks like this: https://plus.google.com/u/0/110615320026166241672/posts. This is a way too long and very workable. But there is a short cut.
A vanity URL is a customised URL that replaces the series of numbers used to reference a user account. If you know what one is, skip to the next paragraph.
Let me show you. For example, a user account URL in Facebook looks something like this: http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=30000200039. A vanity Facebook URL looks more like http://www.facebook.com/pollenmarketing. This is much more polished and easy to remember. You can place it on other forms of media and print material now too.
Alas there is a simple application that enables you to shorten your Google+ profile. The site gplus.to allows you to enter your burdensome Google+ profile or business page URL and shorten it to a URL of choice. So https://plus.google.com/u/0/110615320026166241672/posts transforms into http://gplus.to/pollenmarketing. Took me 1 minute. Pretty nifty right?
I am off to add it to me Blog page, LinkedIn Profile etc. Don’t forget our Google Plus Business Page Set Up Guide.
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While I do have a gplus.to/stevenwright url, I am not too confident in really plugging it (i.e. business card). Main concern is that it’s a 3rd party tool (it’s not Google), and just say they are some kind of dodgy operator, this could be redirected somewhere unintentional with no real accountability. Just saying, be careful.
Good point Steven. No doubt Google will have it’s own version soon enough.
I agree. It’s a good quick fix, but in the long term we need vanity urls… just about to go through the settings with a fine tooth comb in case they have opted for the mysterious Apple / Houdini interface
Google can’t replace Facebook page