The basic steps to post a link
To post a website link on Facebook, go to your timeline or a group you manage, click in the text box at the top where it says "What's on your mind?", paste or type the web address, and click Post. Facebook will automatically pull in a preview — the page title, a description, and a thumbnail image — so people see what they're clicking before they tap it.
You do not have to wait for the preview to load. If you want to post the link without letting Facebook grab an image, you can delete the preview card and just leave the URL as text. The link will still work; it just won't have the visual card attached.
If you are posting to a group instead of your own timeline, the steps are identical — click the text box in the group, paste the link, and post. Group admins can pin important links to the top of the group so they stay visible longer.
Key Takeaways
- Facebook automatically creates a preview card with the page title, description, and image when you paste a link, but you can delete it and post the URL as plain text instead.
- You can add your own text before or after the link to explain why you are sharing it or ask people to read it.
- Links you post to your timeline are visible to whoever you have set your privacy settings to allow — friends only, public, or a custom list.
- Group admins can pin a link post to the top of the group feed so it stays visible for longer and more members see it.
Adding text and context around the link
You can type or paste words before you add the link. Write a sentence or two explaining what the link is about, why you found it interesting, or what you want people to do with it. This context makes people more likely to click, because they know what to expect.
Type your message first, press Enter to move to a new line, then paste the link. Facebook will recognize the URL and create the preview. You can also paste the link first and then add text above or below it — the order does not matter.
If you want to remove the preview card that Facebook creates, click the X in the top right corner of the card. The link will stay in your post as a plain text URL, but the image and description will disappear. This is useful if the preview image is wrong or if you want a cleaner look.
Controlling who sees the link you post
Before you click Post, look for the privacy button — it usually shows an icon like a globe, a group of people, or a lock. Click it to choose who can see this specific post. Your options are usually Public (anyone on Facebook), Friends (people you have added as friends), or Custom (a list you create).
If you do not change the privacy setting, Facebook uses whatever default you set in your account settings. You can change the default in Settings and Privacy, then Settings, then Privacy, but it is faster to just set it for each post as you go.
If you are posting a link to a group, the privacy setting does not explore — only group members can see it, and the visibility depends on whether the group itself is public or private. Group admins control who can join and see posts.
Posting links to groups and pages you manage
If you are an admin or moderator of a group, you can post links the same way you post to your timeline. Click the text box, add your message, paste the link, and click Post. Your post will appear in the group feed for all members to see.
To pin a link so it stays at the top of the group, hover over your post and click the three dots menu. Select "Pin to top of group" or "Pin post". Pinned posts stay visible even as new posts come in below them, so important links — like rules, resources, or announcements — stay straightforward to find.
If you manage a Facebook Page (not a personal profile or group), posting a link works the same way. Click in the text box on your Page's timeline, add your message, paste the link, and click Post. Page posts are visible to people who follow your Page or see it in their feed.
What happens when you post a link
When you post a link, Facebook stores it and shows it to people based on your privacy settings and the Facebook algorithm. The algorithm decides how many people see your post based on how much engagement it gets — if people like, comment, or share it, more people will see it.
The person or organization that owns the website you linked to will not be notified that you shared it, unless you tag them in the post or they have set up a tool to track links to their site. Tagging works the same way it does with people — type @ and the name of the business or account.
If the link goes to a news article, a product page, or another public website, Facebook may show a small preview of that page to people who see your post. If the website has a Facebook pixel or other tracking code, the website owner may see that traffic came from Facebook, but they will not see your name unless you click through and they track you separately.
Troubleshooting links that do not preview correctly
If you paste a link and Facebook does not create a preview card, the website may be blocking Facebook's preview tool, or the page may not have a title or description set up. You can still post the link as plain text — it will work fine, just without the visual card.
If the preview shows the wrong image or title, that usually means the website has not updated its preview information recently. You can try copying the link again, or you can delete the preview and post the URL as text. The preview information is controlled by the website owner, not by you or Facebook.
If you get an error message saying the link cannot be posted, the website may be blocked by Facebook's spam filters, or your account may have posting restrictions. Check that the URL is correct and try again. If it still does not work, the website itself may have an issue, or Facebook may be blocking it for security reasons.
Editing or deleting a link post
After you post a link, you can edit the text you wrote but not the link itself. Hover over your post and click the three dots menu, then select "Edit post". You can change the words you typed, but the URL and preview card will stay the same.
If you want to change the link entirely, you have to delete the post and create a new one. Click the three dots menu and select "Delete post". Confirm that you want to delete it. Any likes, comments, or shares on that post will disappear too.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I post a link without showing the preview image?
Yes. After you paste the link and the preview card appears, click the X button in the top right corner of the card. The link will stay in your post as text, but the image and description will be removed. People can still click the link and visit the website.
Will the website owner know I shared their link?
Not unless you tag them in the post or they have tracking tools set up on their website. If they use Google Analytics or similar tools, they may see that traffic came from Facebook, but they will not see your name or profile unless you click the link and they track you separately.
What if the preview shows the wrong image or description?
That information comes from the website itself, not from you. The website owner controls what image and text Facebook shows. You can delete the preview and post the link as plain text instead, or you can leave it as is — the link will still work correctly.
Can I post a link to a private website or a page that requires a password?
You can post the link, but people who click it will only see it if they have a password or account. Facebook will try to create a preview, but it may show an error or a blank card if the page is not publicly visible. The link itself will still work for people who have access.
How long does a link post stay visible on my timeline?
Your post stays on your timeline permanently unless you delete it. How many people see it depends on Facebook's algorithm — older posts get less visibility as new posts come in. If you want to make sure people see an important link, you can pin it to the top of your profile or post it to a group where you can pin it.