ULR shorteners aren't blocked on HN, despite being more dangerous than labeled links (because you have no way to know where they point to without clicking).
E.g., the previously mentioned input:
[Check this cool similar new app out HN](http:/not.suspicious.com/nor/has/tracking)
<a class="link-display" href="http:/not.suspicious.com/nor/has/tracking">Check this cool similar new app out HN</a>
<span class="link-content">[not.suspicious.com]</span>
.link-display {
/* Whatever styling you want for the link itself. */
font-weight: bold;
}
.link-content {
/* A more in-your-face helper that shows at least the domain. */
font-style: italic;
opacity: 0.5;
}
<a class="link-display" data-host="not.suspicious.com" href="http://not.suspicious.com/nor/has/tracking">Check this cool similar new app out HN</a>
.link-display:after {
content: " [" attr(data-host) "]";
}Edit: Commenters say long-pressing reveals a URL without opening it in mobile browsers, which is nice to know. I only have experience with using regular desktop FF on my (Linux) phone, which doesn't support such a thing AFAICT.