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Design a URL Shortener

Last updated: Apr 2, 2026

Quick Overview

This question evaluates system design and distributed systems competencies, including scalability, availability, data modeling, API design, caching, storage choices, short-code generation strategies, reliability, abuse prevention, and operational trade-offs.

  • medium
  • OpenAI
  • System Design
  • Software Engineer

Design a URL Shortener

Company: OpenAI

Role: Software Engineer

Category: System Design

Difficulty: medium

Interview Round: Onsite

Quick Answer: This question evaluates system design and distributed systems competencies, including scalability, availability, data modeling, API design, caching, storage choices, short-code generation strategies, reliability, abuse prevention, and operational trade-offs.

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|Home/System Design/OpenAI

Design a URL Shortener

OpenAI logo
OpenAI
Jan 19, 2026, 12:00 AM
mediumSoftware EngineerOnsiteSystem Design
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