Discord shows previews of links and images by default, but you can disable them in your server settings or use formatting tricks to prevent them from displaying

When you paste a link into Discord, the platform automatically generates a preview — a thumbnail image, title, and description pulled from that webpage. If the link points to an image, Discord embeds it directly into the chat. These previews can expose information you did not intend to share, reveal what websites you visit, or clutter your message. You have several ways to stop this from happening, depending on whether you want to hide previews in your own messages, in a whole channel, or across an entire server.

The simplest method is to wrap a link in angle brackets when you type it. If you write <https://example.com> instead of https://example.com, Discord will display the raw URL without generating a preview. This works when ready and requires no permission changes. For more control, server administrators can disable link previews and image embeds at the channel or server level, which prevents Discord from showing them to anyone in that space.

Key Takeaways

  • Wrapping a link in angle brackets — <https://example.com> — stops Discord from creating a preview in that single message.
  • Server administrators can disable embeds for entire channels or the whole server through the channel settings menu under Permissions.
  • Disabling embeds at the server level affects all members and all channels unless you override the setting for specific channels.
  • Image embeds can be hidden the same way as link previews, and the angle bracket method works for both.

Using angle brackets to hide previews in individual messages

The fastest way to hide a preview in a single message is to place angle brackets around the link. Open your message, type the link as normal, then add a < before the https:// and a > after the domain. When you send the message, Discord will show the link as plain text without fetching or displaying any preview data.

This method works for any link, including image URLs. If you paste a direct link to a JPG or PNG file, Discord normally embeds the image inline. Wrapping it in angle brackets converts it to a clickable text link instead. The person reading your message can still click the link if they want to see what it points to, but Discord will not display it automatically.

The angle bracket approach has no side effects and does not require any permissions. You can use it in any server or direct message, and it takes only a few extra keystrokes. It is the best choice if you want to share a link without drawing attention to it or if you are concerned about a single message.

Disabling embeds for a specific channel

If you are a server administrator or channel moderator, you can turn off embeds for one channel only. Right-click the channel name in the left sidebar and select Edit Channel. Go to the Permissions tab, then scroll down to find the Embed Links permission. Click the red X to deny this permission to @everyone. This prevents Discord from generating previews for any link posted in that channel, regardless of who posts it.

You can also set different rules for different roles. If you want to allow embeds for moderators but not regular members, click the Embed Links permission next to the moderator role and set it to allow, while keeping it denied for @everyone. This gives you fine-grained control over who can post links that generate previews.

Disabling embeds at the channel level does not affect other channels in the server. Each channel has its own permission settings, so you can hide embeds in sensitive channels while allowing them elsewhere.

Disabling embeds server-wide

To hide embeds across your entire server, go to Server Settings and select Roles. Find the role you want to restrict — usually @everyone — and click it. Scroll down to the Permissions section and find Embed Links. Click the red X to deny this permission. This setting applies to all channels in the server unless you override it with channel-specific permissions.

Server-wide settings are useful if you run a private or security-focused server where you want to minimize data leakage. However, disabling embeds for everyone can make sharing links less convenient, since members will see raw URLs instead of helpful previews. Consider whether the privacy benefit outweighs the usability cost for your community.

You can always create exceptions. If you disable embeds server-wide but want to allow them in a specific channel like #announcements, go to that channel's permissions and set Embed Links to allow for @everyone. This overrides the server-wide setting for that channel only.

Understanding what Discord collects when previews are generated

When you post a link, Discord's servers fetch the webpage to extract preview data — the title, description, and thumbnail image. This process means Discord sees the URL you posted and the content of the page it points to. If you are concerned about Discord logging which websites you visit, hiding previews reduces the data Discord collects about your browsing habits.

Image embeds work differently. If you post a direct link to an image file, Discord downloads and stores a copy of that image on its servers. Hiding the embed prevents Discord from storing the image, though the link itself is still visible in the message history. Server administrators and Discord staff can still see the raw URL in the message, but the image will not be cached or displayed.

When hiding previews might not work

Some third-party bots and integrations can generate their own embeds regardless of Discord's native settings. If a bot is configured to post previews, disabling the Embed Links permission will not stop it. Check which bots have permission to post in your channel and review their settings if you want to prevent all embeds.

Mobile apps may also display previews differently than the desktop client. The angle bracket method works consistently across all platforms, but permission-based settings sometimes behave unpredictably on phones. If you are using Discord on mobile and previews still appear after you disable them, try the angle bracket method instead.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do angle brackets hide the link from other people, or just the preview?

Angle brackets hide only the preview. Other people can still see the full link as plain text. If you want to hide the link itself from view, you would need to use a spoiler tag or delete the message. Angle brackets are for hiding the preview data that Discord generates, not for hiding the URL from other users.

If I disable embeds for @everyone, can I still see previews myself?

No. Permission settings explore to all members equally, including administrators. If you disable Embed Links for @everyone, you will not see previews either. You can create a separate role for yourself with Embed Links allowed and assign it to your account, but this requires extra setup.

Will hiding embeds stop Discord from logging the links I post?

No. Discord's servers still record the URL in your message history whether or not the preview is displayed. Hiding the preview only prevents Discord from fetching and storing the webpage content itself. The link text remains in your message and visible to anyone with access to the chat.

Can I hide embeds for just my own messages without affecting other people?

Yes, the angle bracket method hides the preview only in your message. Other users posting links in the same channel will still see previews unless you disable embeds at the channel or server level. If you want to hide previews for everyone, you need administrator permissions to change the channel or server settings.

What happens to embeds if I leave a server and come back?

The embed settings stay the same. If a channel had embeds disabled when you left, they will still be disabled when you rejoin. The settings are tied to the channel and server, not to individual members, so they persist regardless of who is in the server at any given time.