This was solved a decade ago by rendering the 2nd+1st level domains (and sometimes other parts of the URL) in a different style.
> There's also arguments that URLs are too complex for normal people to understand.
That argument is an insulting attempt to justify a form of illiteracy[1]. Most people don't need to know all of the technical features of a URL; they just need to be able to use it as an address and recognize basic features like the hostname.
Street addresses are a good analogy. Most people understand the basics easily even though physical addresses are far more complex[2] than URLs!
Oh that has google in it (twice even) we can go there.
There's also arguments that URLs are too complex for normal people to understand.
I agree with you though, hiding or redirecting URLs is the opposite of protecting users from phishing.