On this site https://sites.google.com/a/googleapps.com/go-google Google uses bit.ly links to point to Twitter, Orkut, Myspace, etc. – the icons in the "Spread the word" section.

Do they need URL shortening here?
What are the benefits and disadvantages for Google (and the Web) to add (unnecessary?) intermediaries?

Please do not mention "future acquisition" in your answer :)

[ link fixed]

Maybe because of a futur... oh wait..

In any case, the link did nay work for me, but I hope the web stops the trend of URL shortening outside of Twitter etc.

So we can see these terrible stats:

http://bit.ly/info/gg-tweet
http://bit.ly/info/gg-facebook

Nice one, Ionut. And thank you very much for the trick (/info).

Yes, give all your links to Muammer Kaddafi, he will be happy.

Does Google really want to publish their campaign stats?

Actually, you won't be able to check them right now since bit.ly is down http://img29.imageshack.us/img29/390/20610666.png (28/8/9 10:33 CEST)

It's ironic to see Google relying more and more on players like Twitter and Bit.ly. Maybe they do so because reliable services are friending with Facebook!

Bit.ly is actually a good one but I wouldn't let them rule my links if they don't bring some value.

I don't think Google is using it intentionally. It's simply an embedded Twitter feed of a search for "#gonegoogle", and Twitter does that to all links.