Linking to Short vs Long URL

[AWCthreads]

Suppose I have a long url on an established site and created a shorter version of it so it is easier for people to enter directly and click. I 301 the short version to the long. I don't think there is much concern for people linking to the long version pages, but will there be a tendency for people to link to the short url instead of the long for the domain links? Will I not benefit as much from links to the short vs the long? Thanks.

[iAnalyst.com]

I take it you 301'd the short version and still have both versions linked to from the site? Why don't you do away with the long URL and just keep the short if you think people are less likely to use it? You could just 301 the long to the short and remove all links to the longer URL.

[Keszi]

Hi Steve,

I personally would go for 301 from the old URL to the new, shortened one. Shorter URLs are more likely to be linked in natural linking. You will loose some link juice by the redirect, but you will gain more if we check the "timeline".

I hope that helped,

Istvan

[AWCthreads]

He's shortening the url from johnsmithwidgets.com to johnsmith.com. Literally, the first part of the url is a name. Very bland and generic.

His long url is established, has decent page and domain authority and good natural link profile.

He purchased the short domain and I don't know how he intends to use it. I just think he wants to have the short version available for user convenience.

Ideally, wouldn't he want links to continue to his long domain?