(Short) URL obfuscation / jumping

[iantresman]

In the search results, was wondering whether anyone has

• Replaced URL links with a shortened (hidden) URL
• Redirects to the true URL

For example:

• http://www.mydomain.com/texts/directory1/file.pdf
  Displays as http://www.mydomain.com/jump.php?url=0021

But:

• http://www.mydomain.com/texts/dir2/sub-dir/filename.htm
  Displays as http://www.mydomain.com/jump.php?url=0222

Another use for this, is enabling the changing of the destination URL, for example:

• Unsubscribed users jump to a URL showing an "Abstract"
• Subscribed users jump to a page showing full text

Regards,
Ian Tresman

[David]

Having people directed to different pages if they are not logged in or not subscribed, is a common feature of many web sites. This should be done outside of the search engine however.

There are many other way to get a link besides from site based search engine. e.g. External search engines, from an E-mail, or from a book mark, or just guessing the URL.

So trying to protect content by having a local search engine hide or obfuscate links is pointless in my opinion.

Redirects are also trival to follow, and offer no security.