Methods, systems, and apparatuses for generating a shortened context-specific URL are provided. An exemplary method for generating a shortened context-specific URL includes identifying a first service associated with a first URL, where the first URL includes a first quantity of characters, and the first service maps to a first Unicode character that provides context for underlying subject matter found at the first URL. The exemplary method further includes generating a second URL that includes a second quantity of characters, where the second URL includes the first Unicode character as part of the domain name and at least one additional character outside the domain name, and the second quantity of characters is less than the first quantity of characters. The exemplary method also includes mapping the second URL to the first URL.