Problem Statement

Design a URL-shortening service similar to Bitly. The system should accept a long URL and generate a unique, shorter URL. When a user opens the shortened URL in a browser, the system should redirect them to the original URL. The service should also provide basic analytics for each shortened URL, such as the total number of visits. Consider how the system will generate unique short URLs, handle redirects efficiently, store URL mappings, and scale to support a large number of users and requests.

Framework to how to tackle this in interview and also in real life

What Are Interviewers Looking for in a System Design Interview? A system design interview evaluates both your technical knowledge and your approach to solving complex, open-ended problems. Interviewers want to understand how well you know the main system design concepts, how deeply you can discuss each topic, and how you handle unclear or missing requirements. Because these interviews often provide limited details, you are expected to ask the right clarifying questions, identify the main constraints, and make reasonable assumptions when needed. Your problem-solving process is just as important as the final design. Some engineers jump directly into technical details without first taking a step back to understand the problem. A better approach is to begin with critical thinking: clarify the requirements, define the scope, identify possible trade-offs, and then move gradually into the technical design. Ultimately, a system design interview is not only about what you know. It is also about how you think, organize the problem, communicate your decisions, and work with limited information.