A URL shortening service takes long URLs and returns compact aliases (short codes) that redirect browsers and API clients to the original destination. For example, a long URL like https://www.example.com/products/spring-sale?utm_source=newsletter&utm_campaign=april_launch might become https://s.example.com/aZ9k2Qx. It is read-heavy: the dominant workload is issuing HTTP redirects for lookups by short code, while new mappings are created far less often.