The simplest way to add a link to Facebook

Paste the web address directly into your post. Facebook automatically detects the URL and converts it into a clickable link with a preview card showing the page title, description, and thumbnail image. You do not need to format it or use any special syntax — just type or paste the full web address (starting with http:// or https://) and Facebook handles the rest.

This automatic detection works on Facebook's website, in the mobile app, and when you are composing a post, comment, or message. The preview appears within a few seconds after you paste the URL. If you do not want the preview card to show, you can delete it by clicking the X on the card itself, but the link remains clickable in your text.

Key Takeaways

  • Paste the full web address (http:// or https://) directly into your post and Facebook automatically converts it to a clickable link.
  • Facebook generates a preview card with the page title, description, and image within seconds of you pasting the URL.
  • You can remove the preview card by clicking the X, but the link in your text stays active.
  • Links in comments and messages work the same way as links in posts — just paste the URL and Facebook detects it.
  • If a link does not preview, wait a few seconds or try pasting it again, as Facebook sometimes needs time to fetch the page information.

Why Facebook shows a preview card when you paste a link

The preview card pulls information from the webpage itself using data the website owner has embedded in the page code. This data includes the page title, a short description, and an image. Facebook reads this information automatically and displays it so people scrolling your feed can see what the link is about before they click.

If a website has not included this preview information, Facebook shows a generic card with just the domain name and URL. This happens with some older websites or pages that do not use standard preview formatting. The link still works — the preview is just less informative.

Pasting links in different parts of Facebook

Links work the same way everywhere on Facebook: in your main feed posts, in comments on other people's posts, in private messages, in group posts, and in Facebook Stories. Paste the URL and Facebook detects it. The only difference is that Stories have limited space, so the preview card may look smaller or show less text than it would in a regular post.

In Stories specifically, the link appears as a small sticker or button that people tap to visit the webpage. You cannot edit the preview in Stories the way you can in a regular post — Facebook shows what it finds on the page, and that is what viewers see.

What happens when you edit a post with a link

If you edit a post after you have posted it, the link and preview card stay in place. You can change the text around the link, delete the preview card, or paste a different URL. When you save your edits, Facebook updates the post with your changes. People who saw the original post will see the updated version if they scroll back to it.

Editing a post does not change when it appears in people's feeds — it stays in the same position it was originally posted. The edit history is visible to you and to anyone who clicks "See edit history" on the post, so people can see what you changed.

Links that do not preview or show an error

If you paste a URL and no preview appears after 10 to 15 seconds, try pasting it again. Sometimes Facebook's servers are slow to fetch the page information. If it still does not work, the website may be blocking Facebook from reading its preview data, or the page may no longer exist.

If you see an error message saying the link is broken or unavailable, check that you copied the full URL correctly — missing characters or typos will cause the link to fail. You can also try visiting the link in your browser first to confirm it works before pasting it into Facebook.

Shortened URLs and link shorteners

You can paste shortened URLs (from services like bit.ly or TinyURL) into Facebook, and they work the same way as full URLs. Facebook detects them and shows a preview card for the page they point to, not for the shortener service itself. This means a bit.ly link to a news article will show the article's title and image, not bit.ly's information.

Shortened URLs are useful when you want to track clicks or when the original URL is very long. However, they are less transparent — people cannot see where the link goes just by looking at it. If you use a shortened URL, consider adding text that describes the destination so people know what they are clicking.

Removing or changing links in posts you have already shared

To remove a link from a post, click the three dots in the top right corner of the post, select "Edit post," and delete the URL from the text. Save your changes and the link disappears. The preview card also disappears when you remove the URL.

To change the link to a different URL, edit the post and replace the old URL with the new one. Facebook detects the new URL and generates a fresh preview card for it. This takes a few seconds, so wait for the new preview to load before you save your changes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make a link look like regular text instead of showing the full URL?

Not directly in a regular Facebook post. The URL appears as a clickable link. However, if you paste the URL, Facebook's preview card shows the page title and description, which is often more useful than the raw URL. In comments and messages, the URL displays as a link with the domain name visible.

What if the preview card shows the wrong image or description?

The preview comes from the webpage itself, not from Facebook. If the image or description is incorrect, the website owner would need to update that information in their page code. You cannot change what Facebook shows — you can only delete the preview card and leave just the URL.

Do links in Facebook posts work on mobile phones?

Yes. Links work the same way on the Facebook mobile app and on mobile browsers. Tap the link or the preview card and it opens the webpage in your browser. The preview card may appear smaller on a phone screen, but the link functions identically.

Can I add a link to a Facebook photo or video post?

You can add a link in the caption or description text of a photo or video post. Paste the URL in the text area and Facebook detects it. However, you cannot make the photo or video itself clickable — only the URL in the text becomes a link.

What if someone pastes a link to a website I do not want to promote?

You can delete comments containing links you do not want on your post. Click the three dots on the comment and select "Delete." You can also adjust your post settings to review comments before they appear, which gives you control over what links people share on your posts.