diff --git a/actix/src/main.rs b/actix/src/main.rs
index f419800..439d5fe 100644
--- a/actix/src/main.rs
+++ b/actix/src/main.rs
@@ -70,12 +70,12 @@ async fn error404() -> impl Responder {
 async fn link_handler(shortlink: web::Path<String>, data: web::Data<AppState>) -> impl Responder {
     let shortlink_str = shortlink.to_string();
     let longlink = utils::get_longurl(shortlink_str, &data.db);
-    if longlink == *"" {
+    if longlink.is_empty() {
         Redirect::to("/err/404")
     } else {
         let redirect_method = env::var("redirect_method").unwrap_or(String::from("PERMANENT"));
         database::add_hit(shortlink.as_str(), &data.db);
-        if redirect_method == *"TEMPORARY" {
+        if redirect_method == "TEMPORARY" {
             Redirect::to(longlink)
         } else {
             // Defaults to permanent redirection
diff --git a/actix/src/utils.rs b/actix/src/utils.rs
index b7c9d0a..d470643 100644
--- a/actix/src/utils.rs
+++ b/actix/src/utils.rs
@@ -28,14 +28,14 @@ pub fn add_link(req: String, db: &Connection) -> (bool, String) {
     let mut shortlink;
     if chunks.len() > 1 {
         shortlink = chunks[1].to_string().to_lowercase();
-        if shortlink == *"" {
+        if shortlink.is_empty() {
             shortlink = random_name();
         }
     } else {
         shortlink = random_name();
     }
 
-    if validate_link(shortlink.as_str()) && get_longurl(shortlink.clone(), db) == *"" {
+    if validate_link(shortlink.as_str()) && get_longurl(shortlink.clone(), db).is_empty() {
         (
             database::add_link(shortlink.clone(), longlink, db),
             shortlink,