Shorten Your Google+ Profile URL with Gplus.To

When you send someone to your profile on a social network, it needs to be a link that's easy to remember. For instance, Facebook lets users switch from the standard user ID number to something of their choice as long as it's unique. While Google+ has yet to offer the option, you still have another option.

No longer do you need to try to direct friends and family to your Google+ profile the hard way. Since Google+ is still fairly new, they are busy working out other kinks and providing more useful features. Until then, Gplus.to is your answer. Think how great it will be to take the lengthy string of numbers and turn it into something more personal.

What You Need

Remember Bit.ly for shortening URLs for sites like Twitter? Gplus.to works the same way. Your first step is to copy your Google+ ID. The easiest way to do this is to either visit your Google+ profile or log in to your account. In the address bar, you should see an address that looks similar to the following: https://plus.google.com/123456789012345678901. Highlight just the number portion of the URL.

Press Ctrl + C at the same time on your keyboard to copy the number. Do not copy anything else until you've completed the process.

Shorten Your Google+ Profile URL

Next, visit Gplus.to. In the box labeled Nick Name, type the desired profile nickname you want. It must be between 3 and 25 characters. While it does state no numbers are allowed, my test allowed numbers as well. I recommend using only letters if possible, though.

Paste the number from the previous section into the box labeled Your Google+ ID. The easiest way is to select the box and press Ctrl + V. Press the Add button to create your new Google+ URL. You'll then be presented with your new profile link, which you can pass out to friends and family. The final URL should look like the following: gplus.to/nickname.

What To Use

Many users choose to use their username or some combination of their first and last name. Others choose an actual nickname or something related to their favorite hobby or sports team. Regardless of what you choose, it should be something that not only represents you, but is easy to remember. After all, the entire point of this process is to take a long, tiresome, impersonal URL and turn it into something that's all about you.