What is Go.USA.gov?
Go.USA.gov is a URL shortener that lets anyone with a government email address create short, trustworthy .gov URLs to use on online services with character restrictions. This service only shortens government URLs - that is: .mil, .gov, .fed.us, and .si.edu URLs. Go.USA.gov also tracks the number of clicks each shortened URL receives, allowing users to measure the impact of their outreach.
Who can use Go.USA.gov?
You must have a verifiable U.S. federal, state, or local government e-mail address to register for a Go.USA.gov account. If you are a government employee, but are unable to register, please contact us.
Who developed Go.USA.gov?
USA.gov developed Go.USA.gov in coordination with members of the Drupal community.
Why not Go.gov?
Go.USA.gov was created to serve citizens and we believe that including USA.gov in the shortened URLs makes them more intuitive and meaningful to users. Many Internet users may not realize that .gov is the exclusive top-level domain of the US government, and USA.gov adds valuable context to the short URLs.
Can I create custom Go.USA.gov URLs, such as Go.USA.gov/wildfires?
No. This is a feature of other URL shorteners, but we’re still not sure if we want to implement this on Go.USA.gov. See our blog for a detailed explanation.
Can the short URLs Go.USA.gov produces be customized for my agency, such as Go.EPA.gov?
No. This is not possible with the current Go.USA.gov configuration. Also, USA.gov adds valuable context to the short URLs since many Internet users do not recognize agency acronyms.
Is there a character limit for URLs that can be shortened by Go.USA.gov?
Yes. Currently, URLs must be 256 characters or less to shorten correctly. We know that this is not long enough for some URLs, so we are working to lengthen it to at least 1,024 characters.
What can I expect from Go.USA.gov?
Go.USA.gov is available "as is." We strive to keep the service stable and reliable, but can’t guarantee 100% availability. If you shorten a URL using Go.USA.gov and the original URL changes, Go.USA.gov can’t guarantee that our link will redirect to the correct location. However, we definitely want to know if you encounter a problem or issue with Go.USA.gov. Please contact us if you experience problems or have suggestions for improving Go.USA.gov.
We also post notifications of scheduled maintenance and other updates on Twitter at @GoUSAgov.
How often are user analytics updated?
The "Recently Shortened Links" analytics found on the home page are updated within minutes of shortening a URL. The analytics on the URLs you shortened are updated constantly.
Do Go.USA.gov links ever expire?
No. Short links created by Go.USA.gov will always redirect to their assigned URL.
Should I use a shortened URL in a print publication?
No. Only use shortened URL’s in a situation when the URL is clickable. Experience has shown us that people have trouble when they see a shortened URL in a print publication and then try to type the URL in the address bar of their browser. They may only type “go.usa.gov” or make a typographical error, that will send them to the Go.USA.gov home page and make them (understandably) frustrated and confused because they can’t find what they came for.
I have some ideas to improve Go.USA.gov. How can I help?
Go.USA.gov is open source, and was developed in Drupal using the theme base Blueprint, Drupal Core, Shorten, Short URL, and TLD restriction modules. If you want to contribute to Go.USA.gov, please contact us.
Does Go.USA.gov have an API?
Not yet, but we're working on it!
What is Go.USA.gov's Privacy Policy?
Our privacy policy is simple. We only collect personal information required to issue a login ID to people who have a government issued e-mail account ending in .gov, .si.edu, and .mil. For more details, read our Privacy Statement.
I forgot my password. How do I log in?
We’ll help you get a new password.
I forgot my username. How do I log in?
As long as you know the e-mail address you used to set up your account, we’ll help you get a new user name and password.
How do I create 1.USA.gov URLs?
Anyone—including non government employees—can create a 1.USA.gov URL by using Bit.ly or any service that uses Bit.ly’s API to shorten a .gov or .mil URL. Our blog post about 1.USA.gov URLs explains more about this agreement with Bit.ly.
Whom do I contact with questions or problems about Go.USA.gov or 1.USA.gov?
You can e-mail us at go.usa.gov@gsa.gov, or you can contact us on Twitter at @GoUSAgov.