I don't know what the "official" answer is but the way I use them is when I share a post outside of ActiveRain.  This way I can see if my posts are being viewed by someone outside of AR. 

Here ya go. Can't explain it any better than this.

1.  Makes it easier/less messy to post on social media (less clutter)

2.  you can track how many people click from social media.

Easier for Twitter and other social media shares.

Tony and Suzanne Marriott, Associate Brokers it's just additional stats we get on ActiveRain - just to get an idea how Short URL's are doing.

I specially use it on Twitter.

It is all about tracking

I use them to post on social media and then I can track the activity on the traffic report. It also helps on Twitter when character are limited.

I don't get this either, I will read on.

When you share your blog on Twitter? You just want to keep your link short?

I use the short URL for posting my posts to Facebook. That way, I can track the number of views (clicks) from my AR stats page.

I think David Barr might be ono something with his response. Perhaps Bob Stewart can shed some light on this topic?

It allows for a short URL on platforms, such as Twitter, where you are limited to 140 characters.

I think Val nailed it with her link.

Most people use them for Twitter because of the limited amount a characters Twitter allows. Easier to text also. Saves time. Won't hurt your seo like many people seem to think.

Aren't the for sharing on Twitter or Facebook?

Short URL is for services like Twitter that limit characters.  It also allows you to have your url say activ.ra/2438u293  instead of "www.activerain/blogs/the twelve reasons everyone should drive a ferrari instead of a pinto"  (obviously neither of these are active links).  Makes things cleaner.

Well when you find out let us know.  Not a clue 

I believe the correct answer is what Kathy Streib said. I do the short on my Twitter from Active Rain Posts.

 I think the purpose was to be used in twitter are possibly Facebook. I don't know.

For sharing, or for linking your own previous posts to your newer blogs.

It is mostly to make it easier and to take up less characters when posting on social media.

Tony,

I used to use them, but as many have mentioned short URL's are suspect.  

For tracking purposes, for example, you can post a short url on fb to see how many clicks you are getting there.

I have ot tried the short links and I don't click on them very often

I have not used the short URLs, but click on the link I want to share.   I know we have to use them for Facebook, or the photos do not show up correctly.

Tony and Suzanne Marriott, Associate Brokers 

Go to your photo under STATs.

 I believe that is the traffic indicator when you EXPORT all url links ...

Someone actually viewed it outside AR? .....

For example, I have 680,830 views on various blogs, and have 96 total url short links since July 2015.

What I do not understand there is a untitled next to URL stats. No one yet has answered it.

I visit other people's FB pages and type in the short URL and it populates the blog post on their FB wall. Also some times I use it with just one social media group and I can see how many Views came from just that group !!!

The advantage is simply a shorter URL. It may be important when space is limited such as on Twitter.

Tony and Suzanne - I think Val Evans has provided a great link to explain short URLs.