The basic way to post a link
To post a link on Facebook, go to your News Feed or your own profile page and click in the text box at the top that says "What's on your mind?" Paste the full web address (URL) into that box — for example, https://www.example.com — and Facebook will automatically pull in a preview showing the page title, a description, and a thumbnail image. You can then add your own text above or below the link, and click Post.
Facebook's preview usually appears within a few seconds. If it does not, wait another moment or press Enter. The preview shows what other people will see when they click through: the headline from the webpage, a short description, and sometimes a photo. You can click on the preview itself to change which image Facebook displays, or click the X to remove the preview entirely if you only want to share the text.
Once you click Post, the link appears on your timeline or in your friends' News Feeds, depending on your privacy settings. Anyone who can see the post can click the link to visit the webpage.
Key Takeaways
- Paste a web address into the "What's on your mind?" box and Facebook will automatically create a preview with the page title and image.
- You can add your own text before or after the link, and change which image Facebook shows in the preview.
- The link will appear on your timeline or in your friends' feeds based on your privacy settings for that post.
- Links you post can be edited or deleted after posting, but the preview image cannot be changed once the post goes live.
- Sharing a link does not require the other person to have a Facebook account — they can click through and read the webpage normally.
Changing the preview image or removing it
When Facebook pulls in the preview, it usually shows a thumbnail image from the webpage. If you want a different image, click on the preview box itself. A small menu will appear with other images from that webpage — click the one you prefer. If the webpage has only one image or you do not like any of them, you can click the left and right arrows to cycle through options, or click a blank square to post the link without any image at all.
If you do not want a preview at all, click the X button in the top right corner of the preview box. The link will still work — people can still click it — but it will appear as plain text rather than as a card with an image and headline.
Posting a link to a specific Facebook group or event
To post a link in a Facebook group, navigate to the group page and look for the text box at the top. It works the same way as posting to your timeline: paste the link, wait for the preview, add your own text if you want, and click Post. The link will appear in the group's feed where all members can see it.
To post a link on an event page, go to the event, find the discussion or posts section, and paste the link there. Some events have a dedicated "Discussion" tab where members share links and comments about the event itself.
Group and event posts follow the same rules as timeline posts: Facebook creates a preview automatically, you can change the image or remove the preview, and anyone in the group or attending the event can see and click the link.
Posting a link as a comment or message
You can also paste a link into a comment on someone else's post. Click in the comment box below the post, paste the link, and Facebook will create a small preview. Click Comment to post it. The preview will be smaller than a full post, but it works the same way.
To send a link in a private message, open a conversation with the person and paste the link into the message box. Facebook will create a preview there too. This is useful for sharing something with one person or a small group without posting it publicly.
What happens when you edit or delete a link post
If you posted a link and want to change the text you wrote, click the three dots in the top right corner of your post and select "Edit post." You can change your own words, but you cannot change the preview image, headline, or description — those come directly from the webpage and cannot be edited after posting.
If you want to delete the post entirely, click the three dots again and select "Delete post." The link will no longer appear on your timeline or in anyone's feed. Deleting a post is permanent — you cannot undo it.
Why the preview sometimes does not appear
Occasionally Facebook cannot pull in a preview, usually because the website does not provide the information Facebook needs. This happens with some older websites, password-protected pages, or sites that block preview requests. If no preview appears after waiting 10 seconds, the link will still post and work — it will just appear as plain text instead of a card.
If you are having trouble, make sure you pasted the complete web address starting with http:// or https://. A link without those parts sometimes does not work. You can also try copying the address directly from your browser's address bar rather than typing it by hand.
Sharing links from news sites, videos, and other sources
Many websites have a built-in "Share on Facebook" button. If you see this button on a news article, video page, or other site, you can click it and Facebook will open a window asking where you want to post the link — to your timeline, a group, or a message. This is faster than copying and pasting the address yourself, and it ensures the link is formatted correctly.
You can also share links from Facebook itself. If you see a post from a friend or a page that you want to share with your own friends, click the Share button below the post (it usually looks like an arrow or a box with an arrow). Choose whether to post it to your timeline, send it as a message, or share it in a group.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can people see where I got a link from if I post it?
No. When you post a link, people see the webpage itself — the title, description, and image from that site. They do not see where you found it or what you were doing before you posted it. Your own text above the link is the only way to explain why you are sharing it.
What if the link is broken or the webpage no longer exists?
The post will still appear on your timeline, but when people click the link, they will see an error message instead of the webpage. You can edit the post to remove the broken link or delete the post entirely. Broken links do not harm your account or anyone else's device.
Do I need to shorten a long web address before posting it?
No. Facebook handles long addresses automatically. You can paste the full URL directly into the post box. Shortening services like bit.ly are optional and not necessary for Facebook posts.
Can I post a link without showing a preview?
Yes. After the preview appears, click the X button in the top right corner of the preview box. The link will post as plain text, and people can still click it to visit the webpage — it just will not show the headline and image.
What if I want to post the same link multiple times?
You can post the same link as many times as you want. Facebook will create a new preview each time. However, posting the same link repeatedly in a short period may look like spam to your friends, and Facebook may limit how many people see the posts.