Link Expiration

Link expiration is a fundamental architectural tenet of GO Shortener. By preventing orphaned links from lingering indefinitely, GO minimizes database footprint, protects visitors from stale destinations, and reduces link rot.

Allowed Expiration Windows

What Happens When a Link Expires?

When a link passes its expires_at timestamp:

1. Status Transition: The link's internal status changes from active to expired.
2. HTTP 410 Gone: Any visitor following the short URL receives an HTTP 410 Gone status code accompanied by a clean branded information page:

   This link has expired.
   This link is no longer active.
   Created: September 3, 2026
   Expired: October 3, 2026
   

3. No Information Leakage: The expiration page does not disclose the destination URL or the identity of the link's creator.
4. Code Preservation: The short code is NOT deleted or reassigned to another user. The registered owner can renew it at any time.

Permanent Link Requests

If you are a registered user and have a legitimate use case requiring a link that does not expire (such as printed marketing materials, hardware labels, or long-term software documentation), you can submit a Permanent Link Request:

1. Navigate to your Dashboard.
2. Locate the link and select Request Permanent.
3. Provide a brief justification outlining why the link requires auto-renew or permanent status.
4. The request enters the administrator queue at /admin/permanent-requests.
5. Once approved by a moderator or admin, the link's auto_renew flag is enabled, and it will remain active indefinitely.