Shorter links, better insights

I built Go-2, a URL-shortening platform that turns long, complicated URLs into short, shareable links while providing insights into how people interact with them.

Beyond generating short links, Go-2 tracks visits and collects useful analytics, helping users understand how their links are being accessed. Each shortened URL redirects visitors to its original destination while recording information about the interaction.

More than just a redirect

I wanted Go-2 to do more than replace long URLs with shorter ones. The platform records click activity, including visitor device information and geographic data, making it possible to understand link engagement.

Users can create and manage shortened URLs, view their destinations, and inspect statistics associated with individual links.

Building the system

I developed the backend using NestJS, TypeORM, Redis, and BullMQ, separating URL management, redirection, analytics, and background email processing.

One important part of the system was keeping redirects straightforward while capturing analytics without unnecessarily slowing down the visitor's experience.

I also implemented background job processing for email-related workflows using Redis and BullMQ.

Go-2 gave me practical experience building backend APIs, managing URL redirects, tracking user interactions, and designing systems that balance functionality with performance.

The result is a lightweight link-management platform that makes sharing URLs simpler while providing useful visibility into their activity.