Twitter to change how shortened links are displayed

Twitter is making a change over the coming weeks as to how shortened links are displayed on the site.

Twitter will be using shortened t.co links to better protect users from malicious sites that engage in spreading malware, phishing attacks, viruses, and other harmful activity. Basically an effort to improve security to Twitter users.

The t.co links will also be used in Direct Messages between Twitter users.

Twitter will also use the t.co link service to measure information like how many times a link has been clicked, how relevant it is, and how interesting it is.

More information can be seen at: http://t.co/

The t.co links are only used to shorten links on Twitter and cannot be used as a general URL shortening service.

Twitter users are still able to use other URL shortening services like bit.ly if desired, no specific restrictions are being imposed.