Acceptable Use Policy
Guidelines for proper use of our URL shortening service
Last Updated: October 4, 2025
Introduction
This Acceptable Use Policy ("Policy") governs your use of Shorten URL's free URL shortening service, link management platform, and short link generator available at www.theshorturl.com (the "Service"). This Policy is part of our Terms of Service.
By using our URL shortener, you agree to comply with this Policy. Violations may result in link removal, account suspension, or termination. We reserve the right to investigate violations and report illegal activities to law enforcement.
✓ Permitted Uses
You MAY use our URL shortening service for:
- Personal use: Sharing links on social media, emails, and personal communications
- Marketing campaigns: Digital advertising, email marketing, and promotional materials
- Business communications: Professional content, branded links, and customer engagement
- Educational content: Academic resources, online learning, and research materials
- Event promotion: Conferences, webinars, and community events
- Content sharing: Blog posts, articles, videos, and legitimate multimedia
- E-commerce: Product pages, affiliate links (with proper disclosure)
- Non-profit organizations: Fundraising, awareness campaigns, and volunteer coordination
✗ Prohibited Uses
You MAY NOT use our URL shortening service for:
Illegal Activities
- Content that violates any local, state, national, or international laws
- Pirated content, copyright infringement, or counterfeit goods
- Illegal drug sales, weapons, or controlled substances
- Human trafficking, exploitation, or illegal services
Malicious Content
- Malware: Viruses, ransomware, trojans, spyware, or harmful software
- Phishing: Fake login pages, credential harvesting, or identity theft
- Exploits: Hacking tools, vulnerability exploits, or unauthorized access tools
- Cryptojacking: Unauthorized cryptocurrency mining scripts
Spam and Abuse
- Mass unsolicited emails, messages, or social media spam
- Automated bulk link creation or bot abuse
- Comment spam, forum spam, or SEO manipulation
- Excessive use that impacts service availability
Scams and Fraud
- Phishing scams, investment fraud, or pyramid schemes
- Fake websites impersonating legitimate companies
- Deceptive practices, misleading claims, or false advertising
- Tech support scams or fake prize notifications
Child Safety (Zero Tolerance)
- Child sexual abuse material (CSAM) or exploitation content
- Child grooming or sexualization of minors
- Any content that endangers child safety
We immediately report suspected child exploitation to NCMEC and law enforcement.
Harmful Content
- Violence: Content promoting or glorifying violence, terrorism, or extremism
- Hate speech: Discrimination, harassment, or attacks based on race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, disability, or other protected characteristics
- Harassment: Bullying, stalking, doxing, or threatening behavior
- Self-harm: Content encouraging suicide, eating disorders, or self-injury
Deceptive Practices
- Link cloaking to hide malicious destinations
- Misleading custom aliases that misrepresent content
- Impersonating individuals, companies, or organizations
- Spreading misinformation or coordinated disinformation campaigns
Adult Content
- Pornography without proper age verification or warnings
- Non-consensual intimate images or revenge content
- Escort services or illegal sex work
Enforcement and Consequences
How We Enforce
- Automated screening and malware detection
- User reports and community flagging
- Manual review of flagged content
- Integration with threat intelligence databases
Actions We May Take
- Warning: First-time or minor violations
- Link removal: Delete shortened URLs that violate this Policy
- Account suspension: Temporary suspension pending investigation
- Account termination: Permanent ban for serious or repeated violations
- Legal action: Report illegal activities to authorities
Immediate Termination
The following violations result in immediate termination without warning:
- Child exploitation material
- Malware or phishing attacks
- Terrorism or violent extremism
- Human trafficking
- Large-scale fraud or coordinated abuse
Reporting Violations
If you encounter shortened URLs that violate this Policy, please report them immediately:
- Abuse reports: abuse@theshorturl.com
- Security issues: security@theshorturl.com
- Report form: Use the "Report Abuse" link on URL preview pages
Include the shortened URL, description of violation, and any supporting evidence. We respond to critical threats within 1 hour and standard reports within 24-48 hours.
Your Responsibilities
As a user of our URL shortening service, you must:
- Verify all destination URLs comply with this Policy before shortening
- Monitor your shortened links to ensure continued compliance
- Delete links if destination content changes to violate this Policy
- Use accurate, non-deceptive custom aliases
- Comply with all applicable laws in your jurisdiction
- Respect third-party platform terms when sharing shortened links
- Report violations you encounter
Appeals Process
If you believe we made an error in removing a link or suspending your account:
- Email appeals@theshorturl.com with details
- Provide context explaining why the content doesn't violate this Policy
- Include supporting evidence or documentation
We review appeals within 5-7 business days. Our decisions are final.
Changes to This Policy
We may update this Policy to address new types of abuse, comply with legal changes, or improve clarity. When we make material changes:
- We will update the "Last Updated" date
- We will notify registered users via email
- Changes take effect immediately upon posting
Your continued use after changes constitutes acceptance. Review this Policy periodically.
Contact Us
Questions about this Policy or need to report violations?
Abuse Reports: abuse@theshorturl.com
Security Issues: security@theshorturl.com
Appeals: appeals@theshorturl.com
General Support: support@theshorturl.com
Key Takeaways
- Use our URL shortener for lawful, legitimate purposes only
- No illegal content, malware, spam, fraud, or harmful material
- Zero tolerance for child exploitation
- Be transparent about link destinations
- Report violations to help keep our service safe
- Violations result in link removal, suspension, or legal action