How to Use Short Links for Surveys and Google Forms

In the digital age, gathering feedback through online surveys has become easier than ever. Tools like Google Forms allow you to create quick, customizable surveys for everything from customer feedback to event registration. However, the one common challenge is sharing those long, clunky URLs. That’s where short links come in.

Why Use Short Links?

Shortened URLs offer several key benefits:

  • Easy to share: Especially on social media, printed materials, or during presentations.

  • Better user experience: A clean link looks more trustworthy and user-friendly.

  • Improved tracking: Many link shorteners provide analytics, allowing you to monitor clicks and engagement.

  • Customization: Some services let you create branded or descriptive URLs.

Creating a Google Form

Before shortening your link, you need to create your form. Head over to Google Forms, sign in with your Google account, and choose a template or start from scratch. Once your form is ready:

  1. Click the Send button in the top-right corner.

  2. Choose the link icon (a chain symbol).

  3. Check the box for “Shorten URL” if you want a simple Google-generated short link.

  4. Copy the URL for sharing.

This method gives you a basic short link, but you can take things a step further.

Using URL Shorteners

For more flexibility and control, consider using a dedicated URL shortener like:

  • Surli (https://surl.li/)

  • Bitly (https://bitly.com)

  • TinyURL (https://tinyurl.com)

  • Rebrandly (https://rebrandly.com)

Here’s how it works:

  1. Copy the full link to your Google Form.

  2. Paste it into your chosen URL shortener.

  3. Customize the back half of the URL if the service allows.

  4. Copy and share your new short link!

For example, instead of sharing something like
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSe9T6XYZ...
you could share
https://surl.li/CustomerSurvey2025 — cleaner and easier to remember.

Tips for Sharing Short Survey Links

  • Social media: Use short links in your bio or posts to drive engagement.

  • QR codes: Generate a QR code for the short link, perfect for posters or physical handouts.

  • Email campaigns: A short link is less likely to break or look suspicious in email clients.

  • Printed materials: If you're promoting a form on flyers, brochures, or banners, short URLs are essential.

Track Performance

Platforms like Bitly offer basic analytics, such as:

  • Number of clicks

  • Geographic data

  • Referral sources

  • Time-based trends

This is extremely helpful when measuring how well your survey is performing and understanding your audience.

Final Thoughts

Using short links for Google Forms and surveys is a smart, simple way to improve accessibility, professionalism, and data insights. Whether you're collecting event RSVPs, conducting a poll, or running a research survey, a well-crafted short URL can make all the difference in reaching and engaging your audience.