Design a high-scale URL shortener

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Quick Overview

This question evaluates a candidate's ability to design scalable, high-throughput distributed systems with emphasis on URL mapping, storage and indexing, caching and geo-routing for low latency, capacity planning for heavy read/write ratios, and durability under write spikes and analytics requirements.

Design a high-scale URL shortener

Company: Microsoft

Role: Software Engineer

Category: System Design

Difficulty: medium

Interview Round: Onsite

Overview: This question evaluates a candidate's ability to design scalable, high-throughput distributed systems with emphasis on URL mapping, storage and indexing, caching and geo-routing for low latency, capacity planning for heavy read/write ratios, and durability under write spikes and analytics requirements.

Read the full Microsoft Software Engineer interview experience this question came from

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Microsoft
Feb 12, 2026
mediumSoftware EngineerOnsiteSystem Design
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