The simplest way to post a link
To post a link on Facebook, paste the web address into your status box and Facebook will automatically pull in a preview. Open Facebook and find the "What's on your mind?" box at the top of your feed. Click inside it, paste the full web address (starting with http:// or https://), and then press Enter or click Post. Facebook recognizes the link and shows you a preview card with the page title, a thumbnail image, and a description — you can edit the text that appears before you post.
The preview appears within a few seconds. If Facebook pulls in the wrong image or description, click the preview card and you can choose a different image from the page or edit the text that shows. Once it looks right, add your own comment above the link if you want, then click the blue Post button.
This method works on both the Facebook website and the mobile app. On mobile, the steps are identical — tap the status box, paste the link, wait for the preview, and post.
Key Takeaways
- Paste a web address directly into your status box and Facebook automatically creates a preview card with the page title and image.
- You can edit the preview image and description before posting, or delete the preview entirely if you only want to share your own text.
- Links posted to your timeline are visible to whoever you have set as your audience for that post — you control this with the privacy button before posting.
- Sharing a link in a comment works the same way: paste the address into the comment box and Facebook creates a preview.
- If a link does not create a preview, the website may block Facebook from reading it, but you can still post the bare address and people can click it.
Editing what the preview shows
When Facebook pulls in a preview, it grabs the page title, a description, and an image from the website. Sometimes this is not what you want — the image might be a logo instead of the main photo, or the description might be incomplete. Click anywhere on the preview card to open the editing options.
You will see a row of thumbnail images from the page. Click the one you want to use, or click the left and right arrows to see more options. If none of the images work, you can delete the preview entirely by clicking the X button, and just post the link as plain text with your own comment.
To change the title or description text, click directly on those words in the preview card and type over them. These changes only affect what shows on your post — they do not change the actual website.
Posting links in comments and messages
You can share a link in a comment on someone else's post the same way you post it to your timeline. Click in the comment box, paste the web address, and Facebook creates a preview. Edit it if you need to, then click Comment.
In Facebook Messenger (the private messaging tool), paste a link into a conversation and Facebook shows a preview card. You can send it as-is or add a message before you send. The preview works identically to timeline posts — you can change the image or delete the preview if you prefer.
Controlling who sees your link
Before you click Post, look for the privacy button — it usually shows a small icon like a globe, a group of people, or a lock, depending on your current setting. Click this button to choose who can see the post. Your options are typically Public (anyone on Facebook), Friends (only your friends), or Custom (specific people or groups you choose).
This setting applies to the link post itself, not to the website you are linking to. Even if you set the post to Friends Only, anyone with the direct web address can still visit the website — you are only controlling who sees the post on your Facebook timeline.
If you do not click the privacy button, Facebook uses whatever setting you used for your last post. Check before posting if you are unsure.
What to do if the preview does not appear
Some websites block Facebook from reading their content, so no preview card appears. This is intentional on their part — they do not want Facebook to display their pages this way. You can still post the link: just leave it in your status box without a preview and add your own text explaining what it is.
If you pasted the address correctly and still see no preview after waiting 10 seconds, try copying the link again directly from the website's address bar. Sometimes a shortened link or a link with extra characters does not work. Paste the full, clean address from the browser.
If the link is very new, Facebook may not have indexed it yet. Wait a few minutes and try again, or post it without the preview and come back to edit the post later once the preview loads.
Sharing links from your phone
On iPhone or Android, open the Facebook app and tap the status box at the top of your feed. You will see a keyboard — tap and hold to paste, or use your phone's paste function. Paste the web address and wait for the preview to load. The process is identical to the desktop version: edit the preview if needed, add your comment, and tap Post.
Many phones also let you share a link directly from another app. If you are reading an article in your browser or in a news app, look for a Share button (usually three dots or lines). Tap it, select Facebook, and the app will open Facebook with that link ready to post. This is often faster than copying and pasting.
Links that do not work or lead to errors
If someone clicks your link and gets an error page, the website may be temporarily down, or the page may have moved. You cannot fix this after posting — the link goes where it goes. If you realize the link is broken before posting, delete it and find the correct address.
Very long web addresses sometimes cause problems. If your link is extremely long (more than 100 characters), you can use a link shortener like Bit.ly to create a shorter version. Paste the shortened link into Facebook instead. This does not change where the link goes — it just makes the address shorter and cleaner.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I post a link without showing a preview?
Yes. After the preview appears, click the X button on the preview card to remove it. You can then post just the web address as text, or delete the address entirely and write your own description. People can still click the address if you leave it in the post.
What if I want to change the preview image after I post?
Click the three dots in the top right corner of your post and select Edit Post. The preview card will reappear with editing options. You can change the image, title, or description, then click Done to save the changes.
Do people see the preview on their phone the same way I do?
Usually yes, but the layout may be slightly different on mobile. The image, title, and description are the same. Some phones show the preview smaller or in a different order, but the content is identical.
Can I post the same link multiple times?
Yes, you can post the same link as many times as you want. Facebook does not prevent duplicate links. However, posting the same link repeatedly in a short time may look like spam to your friends.
What happens if I post a link to a private website or a page behind a paywall?
Facebook will still create a preview if the website allows it. When someone clicks the link, they will see whatever the website shows — if it requires a password or payment, they will encounter that. The preview does not bypass any restrictions on the actual website.