Bit.ly Guidance
Bit.ly (www.bitly.com) is the default Uniform Resource Locator or URL shortener for .gov URLs. The following online guidance defines the governance structure for and appropriate use of Bit.ly.
I. Governance
As the official messaging arm of the BLM, the National Communications Directorate - through its New Media Team - provides national guidance for the use of Bit.ly for external communication needs.
The BLM's New Media Team and State/Center External Affairs (EA) Offices will create shortened URLs for state and center offices and programs. Offices and programs should contact their local BLM communications staff for assistance.
>>Back to Top
II. Appropriate Use of Bit.ly
The BLM will shorten its external web addresses and links to new media assets using Bit.ly. The BLM will use the shortened URLs for three purposes:
- To include in "tweets" on official BLM Twitter accounts;
- To use as shortened links on BLM external and internal web pages and official BLM new media accounts; and
- To track the number of hits on an individual link.
The BLM will NOT use Bit.ly to shorten URLs for QR Codes or to create QR Codes. The BLM should use the internal QR Code generator only. For more information, read the online QR Code guidance.
>>Back to Top
III. Technical Requirements
The following technical requirements apply to the use of Bit.ly.
[1] BLM State/Center EA Offices can establish their own Bit.ly accounts, which allows for customization of shortened links.
[2] After establishing the Bit.ly short URL, BLM Bit.ly users may track analytics of the shortened URL by logging into their Bit.ly account and clicking "Info Page" next to the shortened URL.
>>Back to Top
