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What Is Youtu.be and Is It Safe?

October 28, 2024 • Devin Partida

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If you’ve been exploring YouTube, you may have come across links like “youtu.be” instead of the typical “youtube.com.” This might raise a few questions: What is YouTu.be? Is it different from YouTube? And most importantly, is it safe?

What Is YouTu.be?

To put it simply, YouTu.be is a URL (Uniform Resource Locator) shortener specifically created by YouTube. A URL shortener is a tool that takes a long URL or  website address and makes it shorter and more convenient to share. 

For example, instead of sharing a long YouTube video link like: 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dQw4w9WgXcQ

You can share:

https://youtu.be/dQw4w9WgXcQ

Both links take you to the same video. The only difference is that one is long and bulky, while the other is neat and concise. This is particularly helpful when you’re sharing links on social media, through emails or via text messages, where space or character limit can be limited.

3 Reasons Why YouTube Uses a Shortened Link

There are a few reasons YouTube uses this shortened “youtu.be” format:

1. Ease of Sharing

Shorter URLS are simply easier to share, type or remember. Whether you’re sending a link in a tweet, posting on Instagram or sending a quick text, shorter links take up less space and look cleaner.

2. Link Tracking

Companies like YouTube often track the number of times a link is clicked. The youtu.be URL shortener allows them to monitor how frequently people click on links shared through social media or other platforms.

3. Branding

By using “youtu.be,” YouTube maintains its recognizable brand even in shortened links. You can still tell at a glance that the link is associated with YouTube.

3 Other Platforms Using URL Shorteners

YouTube isn’t the only major platform that uses URL shorteners. Many well-established websites — such as Facebook and Twitter — have created their own. These platforms use short URLs for the same reasons as YouTube — they make sharing content more user-friendly, improve readability and allow companies to gather valuable data on how their links are used.

Here’s why these organizations use them and what their short URLs look like:

1. Facebook

Facebook uses the shortener fb.me for sharing links to Facebook profiles or pages. Like YouTube, it allows for easier sharing and a cleaner look, especially on mobile devices or in messaging apps.

2. Twitter

Twitter has its own shortener — t.co — which automatically shortens any link shared on the platform. This not only saves space in tweets — which are limited in character count — but also allows Twitter to track link activity and provide analytics for users.

3. Google

While now discontinued, Google used to offer a URL shortener at goo.gl. This service worked much like YouTube’s, helping users create more manageable links while also providing click-tracking data.

Is Youtu.be Safe?

Yes, youtu.be is safe — if you’re using legitimate links. Since youtu.be is YouTube’s official URL shortener, links using this format come directly from YouTube itself. If you trust the person or source sharing the link, clicking on it should be safe.

Examples of Safe and Unsafe Use of Youtu.be Links

To give you a clearer idea of how to evaluate links, here are two examples:

Safe Example

A friend sends you a message with the link:

https://youtu.be/dQw4w9WgXcQ

You recognize that this is a legitimate YouTube link because it starts with “https,” uses the youtu.be format and came from someone you know. This link is safe to click.

Unsafe Example

You receive an email from an unknown sender with a link that looks like:

http://youtu.be/xyz123

In this case, the link starts with “http” instead of “https,” which means  it isn’t secure. It’s best to avoid clicking on it.

Youtu.be Links: 6 Tips To Stay Safe

Even though youtu.be links are generally safe, shortened links can sometimes be risky. This is because shortened URLs hide the full website address, which makes it difficult to tell where you’ll end up when you click. While youtu.be links will almost always take you to YouTube, cybercriminals sometimes mimic trusted sites or use URL shorteners to trick users.

To protect yourself:

1. Verify the Source

Only click on links shared by people or websites you know and trust. If the link seems suspicious, it’s always a good idea to double-check with the sender before clicking.

2. Check the Link Carefully

Make sure the link starts with “https://youtu.be.” The “https” (Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure) part of the URL means communications are encrypted and the connection is secure. If you see a link that doesn’t have this, avoid clicking on it. Moreover, pay close attention to the URL. Hackers often rely on people skimming links without reading carefully. Make sure the URL is exactly “youtu.be” and not a variation of it.

3. Invest in Security Software

Good antivirus software can help protect you from malicious websites. Regularly updating your security software ensures you stay protected against the latest threats.

4. Use a Preview

You can hover over a link without clicking it to see a preview of where it will take you. This is a good habit to develop when checking any link, especially shortened URLs, as they can sometimes hide malicious sites.

5. Beware of Phishing

Phishing is a type of cyberattack where hackers try to trick you into giving personal information — like emails and passwords — by pretending to be someone trustworthy. Always be cautious of links sent by people or organizations you don’t know or links in suspicious emails. Some browsers and browser extensions also offer built-in protection against phishing attempts, alerting you if a link looks suspicious.

6. Look for Red Flags

If something feels off — such as a strange, unsolicited email or an unexpected message — it’s best not to click the link or engage at all.

What Happens When You Click a Youtu.be Link?

When you click on a youtu.be link, your browser will automatically redirect you to the full YouTube URL. For example, clicking on:

https://youtu.be/dQw4w9WgXcQ

will take you to:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dQw4w9WgXcQ

This process is seamless, and you likely won’t even notice the redirect. From the user’s perspective, it’s just like clicking on any other YouTube link.

Can Hackers Use Youtu.be for Malicious Purposes?

While youtu.be itself is safe, hackers can try to disguise malicious content by using similar-looking URLs. For instance, a hacker might create a phishing website with a URL that looks almost identical to youtu.be, but includes subtle changes like:

https://youtub.be/fakevideo

or

https://youtu.be.hacker.com/fakepage

These links might look legitimate at first glance but take you to a completely different site designed to steal your personal information.

Should You Use Youtu.be Links?

Youtu.be is a handy and legitimate tool for shortening YouTube URLs. It’s perfectly safe to use, as long as you stay cautious and aware of potential phishing attempts or other malicious activity. Always check that the link is secure and be careful when clicking links from unknown sources, and you’ll be able to enjoy sharing and watching YouTube videos without worry.

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