Shubham RamdeoJul 13, 2023
FediTips has moved!

In case you missed it, all links on Mastodon count as 23 characters towards your limit, no matter how many characters the link really is.

So, you don't need to use link shorteners on Mastodon as they won't actually affect the link's length.

Mastodon does this because it's better for everyone's privacy to avoid link shortener services, it means people can see what they're clicking on, and the link won't stop working if the shortener service shuts down.

More info at:

➡️ https://fedi.tips/you-dont-need-link-shorteners-on-mastodon/

You don’t need link shorteners on Mastodon | Fedi.Tips – An Unofficial Guide to Mastodon and the Fediverse

An unofficial guide to using Mastodon and the Fediverse

Jul 12, 2023 at 8:24pmWeb
Show threadFeralRobotsJul 12, 2023
@feditips This was a good design decision for accessibility & usability. We do complain sometimes about Mastodon's support for #a11y, but there are many small decisions like this that demonstrate people did *want* to do the right think.
Show threadLeonardo Ferreira FontenelleJul 12, 2023
@feditips I did miss it!
Show threadunexpectedteapotJul 12, 2023
@feditips most link shorteners are spyware. They track and fingerprint users across the internet. No one should use a URL shortener.
Show threadJohn HardenJul 12, 2023
@feditips what I really want to know, why is Mastodon so inconsistent about providing preview images for linked content? Sometimes I get them, sometimes not. It seems random.
Show threadFediTips has moved!Jul 12, 2023

@giantspecks

I think this depends on the server, and when you look at the link. It can take some time for a preview to appear as your server has to prepare it, and if a server is very busy this process can take longer.

Are you seeing some previews never appearing, even days later?

Show threadJohn HardenJul 12, 2023
@feditips Thanks for the reply! Yes, I just checked back to some June posts that included YouTube links—still nothing there.
Show threadFediTips has moved!Jul 12, 2023

@giantspecks

I think there was an issue at some point with YouTube's preview format, Google changed it and broke it on here, I think?

Is this still not working for new posts?

Show threadJohn HardenJul 12, 2023
@feditips Just did a test, using the same link that didn't work on June 23... and it works!
https://sfba.social/@giantspecks/110703534148845590
John Harden (@[email protected])

Just a test to see if Mastodon gives me a preview image. But this is gorgeous #music featuring Bill Frisell on #guitar by the way. One of my favorite things by him. https://youtu.be/BCn2WRBd0rc

SFBA.social
Show threadGunChleocJul 13, 2023
@giantspecks @feditips Link previews do usually appear with a delay. Since every Fediverse server will fetch their own preview, viral links could accidentally DDoS the original site otherwise.
Show threadSpaceLifeFormJul 13, 2023

@feditips @giantspecks

Yep. Preview can fail.

Just one of many reasons I obfuscate links.

Show threadJohn HardenJul 13, 2023
@SpaceLifeForm @feditips I know the meaning of the word but can you explain it in this context?
Show threadSpaceLifeFormJul 13, 2023

@giantspecks @feditips

If you make the link un-clickable, no preview will occur.

Show threadJohn HardenJul 13, 2023
@SpaceLifeForm @feditips ...and sorry, why on Earth would I want that? I want the opposite, a clickable link with a preview!
Show threadSpaceLifeFormJul 13, 2023

@giantspecks @feditips

Apparently you have not seen a preview show up in a different language than the original poster read.

Show threadMissing The PointJul 12, 2023
@feditips So on Mastodon, everyone’s link is treated as the same length, no matter how long or short it actually is? Someone should page Elon.
Show threadBlake LeonardJul 12, 2023
@feditips Bonus fact: (this is well tested, including by me) there's a hard total of 4096 characters you can send behind the links, so links can't be absurdly long, either.
Show threadTorlionJul 12, 2023
@blake If a URL can't be sent in less than 4096 characters, it doesn't deserve to be sent.
Show thread2xfoJul 13, 2023
@blake @feditips
I like that you think a 4100 character URL is not "absurdly long"
Show threadBlake LeonardJul 13, 2023
@RnDanger @feditips oh it very much is
Show threadjadedctrl  Jul 12, 2023
@feditips what I'm hearing is, if your post exceeds the character limit… https://just_make_it_one_big.link 
Show threadLibertyBetaJul 12, 2023
@feditips so https://www.dragon.lgbt/this-doesnt-count-as-more-than-just-twenty-four-characters-which-means-i-can-totally-fuck-with-this-thing-and-make-my-posts-just-one-really-anoying-run-one-link?so-this-is=24-characters
porkbun.com | parked domain

Show threadFediTips has moved!Jul 12, 2023

@LibertyBeta

Yes, but all I see at my end is "HTTPS ://www.dragon.gay/this-do..."

I can see the full link if I hover over it though.

Show threadLibertyBetaJul 12, 2023
@feditips Did we just discover a new way of talking on Mastodon? Like hiding things in alt text?
Show threadMin Jul 12, 2023
@LibertyBeta @feditips I don't think it's really "just 23 characters"; the data is all still there, Mastodon in specific just treats it as only 23 characters toward your post limit and visually shortens the URL in its client.

Calckey, for example, doesn't even turn that into a link:
Show threadSariaJul 12, 2023
@LibertyBeta @feditips I can see the whole link by default on my server. But I really don’t see the point. If you want to write novel-length posts, it would be easier to just join (or run) a server with a higher character count. This is not Twitter; you are not shackled to just one server’s rules.
Show threadyeeter Jul 12, 2023
@feditips i really missed this amazing tip
Show threadJuicy Cake Of FigsJul 12, 2023
@feditips Although REALLY long links can be unsightly.
Show threadFediTips has moved!Jul 12, 2023

@datadivajf

The Mastodon web interface at least does abbreviate links if they're very long, but they're still clickable and you can read the full link by hovering over them or longpressing.

Show threadArena Cops 🇺🇦✌Jul 12, 2023

@feditips I'm grateful for Mastodon's & the Fediverse's vigilance to the benefit of everyone's privacy & safety.

#Mastodon #Feditips #CommunityCounts #Privacy #Infosec

Show threadmirabilosJul 12, 2023
@feditips depends on the instance, I have seen instances list 25 in their status API response
Show threadHaelwenn /элвэн/ Jul 12, 2023
@feditips Meanwhile on Pleroma you'd have to somehow find URLs longer than thousands of characters.
Show threadJuLY LIONJul 12, 2023
@feditips Why 23 in particular?
Show threadAaronJul 12, 2023
@feditips That's really cool and I had no idea!
Show threadTorlionJul 12, 2023
@feditips Ever since URL shorteners became common, I've always hated them. It's WAY easier to tell if a link is something innocuous if you can very clearly see the website name instead of rp.ito/v1ru5 or some crap
Show threadTT🇺🇦🇹🇼🇪🇹🇭🇹☪Jul 12, 2023

@feditips Link shortners are like face masks or Youtube or (general) blog moderation.

You're not going to convince entitled dolts, trolls & narcissists of your 5 trillion good reasons, among which include the fact that you have PRIORITIES in life.

#Security-minded (#Risk-mature) content creators & news outlets posting sensitive videos on Youtube GET IT. They have the NEXT thing to MOVE ON TO.

Not worth MY TIME convincing some narcissist who can google me of my motives🔴https://bit.ly/2FfU4Bn▼

Show threadTerrorBite 🦁Jul 12, 2023

@feditips There is one use-case for a URL-shortener-like service, and that's https://jort.link (read more there)

Because of the distributed nature of the Fediverse, whenever someone posts a link, every instance that follows that user will hit the URL to generate a preview, causing a mini-DDoS or "mastodon stampede". Jort.link (by @unascribed) is designed to cache the preview, reducing impact on small and self-hosted sites, while transparently redirecting actual users.

jort.link - a solution to fediverse request floods

A URL redirector and shield to solve fediverse request floods.

Show threadTerrorBite 🦁Jul 12, 2023
@feditips unlike a URL shortener, the original URL isn't shortened but is preserved in full, so you can a) see where it goes and b) if jort.link dies you can still visit the original URL simply by removing the "jort.link/" prefix.
Show threadSpaceLifeFormJul 13, 2023

@TerrorBite @feditips @unascribed

Not if you obfuscate links.

Show threadTerrorBite 🦁Jul 13, 2023
@SpaceLifeForm @feditips @unascribed It doesn't obfuscate links.
Show threadLuis E. AcevedoJul 12, 2023
@feditips Great! Nice to know.
Show threadToothyJul 12, 2023
@feditips I still wonder how some people do hyperlinks.. for me it always shows the link no matter what
Show threadSpaceLifeFormJul 13, 2023

@Toothy @feditips

If you obfuscate the link by changing it to say hXXps, then it does not automagically become a clickable link, and it prevents preview.

The user will have to copypasta to a new tab, and fix the link. The side effect of that is the server the link points to does not learn where the user found the link in the first place.

Show threadToothyJul 13, 2023
@SpaceLifeForm @feditips No, I mean hyperlink as in it has custom text but is still clickable
Show threadSpaceLifeFormJul 13, 2023

@Toothy @feditips

Then they are posting in html mode using the <a href stuff

Show threadSpaceLifeFormJul 13, 2023
@[email protected] @[email protected] This is a html link It is safe to click on btw.
Rick Astley - Never Gonna Give You Up (Official Video) (4K Remaster)

The official video for “Never Gonna Give You Up” by Rick Astley. Never: The Autobiography 📚 OUT NOW! Follow this link to get your copy and listen to Rick’s ...

YouTube
Show threadSpaceLifeFormJul 13, 2023
@[email protected] @[email protected] Note that I used a link shortener because I remembered it, but also note that the preview happened.
Show threadSpaceLifeFormJul 13, 2023

@Toothy @feditips

Alternatively, I could obfuscate the link, and make you copypasta it, and fix the link, and you get the same result, but two things then happens then.

youtube does not know where you found the link.

No preview occurs server side. Reduces load on the servers.

hXXps://t.co/elon

Then again, I could avoid the link shortener entirely, which is even better.

This is the Rickroll

This is where the link shortener will redirect you to.

hXXps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dQw4w9WgXcQ

Obfuscate links. Do not use link shorteners. It is for your privacy.

Show threadToothyJul 13, 2023
@SpaceLifeForm @feditips Yea but how? I tried the normal markdown for hyperlinks and it didn't work
Show threadSpaceLifeFormJul 13, 2023

@Toothy @feditips

It should break it if you change the 'tt' to 'XX' in the link.

It is when the server side sees the https that is when it wants to make it a clickable link.

This will be a clickable link

https://fedi.tips/

This will not be a clickable link

hXXps://fedi.tips/

Fedi.Tips – An Unofficial Guide to Mastodon and the Fediverse

An unofficial guide to using Mastodon and the Fediverse

Show threadToothyJul 13, 2023
@SpaceLifeForm @feditips No.. lol
I want to make a clickable link that is just text, as in THISTEXT would be clickable
Show threadSpaceLifeFormJul 13, 2023

@Toothy @feditips

You will have to be able to post in HTML mode, which I believe your instance does not support. Maybe it does now. Hunt around in your app settings.

I demoed for you what you are looking for.

I used 'This is a html link' which is what you would want 'THISTEXT' to replace.

Format is:

<a href="link">THISTEXT</a>

Show thread2xfoJul 13, 2023

@feditips

Wait, there's a limit? Oh now I see. Mines like 11 thousand, lol

Show threadSpaceLifeFormJul 13, 2023

@RnDanger @feditips

And how often have you used more than 500 characters? Rare, right?

Show thread2xfoJul 13, 2023
@SpaceLifeForm @feditips
Pretty rare, yeah. I know a few times I've been thankful not to be limited when I kinda expected it though
Show threadSpaceLifeFormJul 13, 2023

@RnDanger @feditips

We have this large cushion and yet we never come close to needing it.

Maybe that's because we are good peeps here and can make a point succinctly.

Show threadMike SmaleJul 13, 2023
@feditips Link shorteners are just... ick.
Show threadNik0 Jul 13, 2023
@feditips Amazing tip!!!!
Show threadDigitalJul 13, 2023
@feditips oh thats cool!!
Show threadl10484Jul 13, 2023
@feditips good information
Show threadmooncubeJul 13, 2023
@feditips common Mastodon W