Code snippet #2 – Shorten Links Using Bit.ly
Following the first snippet, here is another small one to shorten a link using Bit.ly. I chose Bit.ly over other link shortening services due to a simple reason: Twitter uses it as default (by now).
Code snippet #2 – Shorten Links Using Bit.ly
Purpose
Create a shortened URL using Bit.ly. This is extremely useful for your visitors, as they don’t have to look any further – just grab it to use right away.
Requirements
- A Bit.ly account (and API key). You can create one for free at their site in seconds. Once logged in, head to Account section and look for a long ugly string starting with “R_”.
- PHP 5 >= 5.2.0. Your host doesn’t support PHP 5? Claim your money back and find another host.
The Code
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 | function get_shortened_url($url) { $bitly_api_key = 'YOUR KEY HERE'; $bitly_username = 'YOUR BIT.LY USERNAME HERE'; $data = file_get_contents("http://api.bit.ly/shorten?version=2.0.1&longUrl=$url&login=$bitly_username&apiKey=$bitly_api_key"); $data = json_decode(utf8_encode($data)); if ($data->errorCode) { return false; } return $data->results->$url->shortUrl; } // now use it echo get_shortened_url('http://www.example.com/this-is-a-stupid-long-long-long-url.html'); // how about WordPress? // Just place the function above somewhere in your functions.php theme page and then // 1. inside The Loop echo get_shortened_url(get_permalink()); // 2. outside The Loop echo get_shortened_url(get_permalink($post->ID)); |
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richard
1 Mar, 2010
Nice thanks, works well