The simplest way to send a link is to copy it from your browser's address bar and paste it into an email, message, or document
Open the webpage you want to share. Look at the very top of your browser window — you'll see a long string of text that starts with "http" or "https". Click once on that address bar to select it, then press Ctrl+C (or Cmd+C on Mac) to copy. Open your email or messaging app, click in the message field, and press Ctrl+V (or Cmd+V) to paste. That link will work for anyone who receives it, as long as the webpage still exists.
The address bar is the most reliable source because it's the actual location of the page. If you copy a link from somewhere else — a social media post, a search result, a forum — you might accidentally copy a shortened version or a tracking link that could break or change later. The address bar always gives you the real thing.
Key Takeaways
- Copy links directly from your browser's address bar rather than from social media posts or search results, because those versions may be shortened or tracked.
- Test the link before you send it by opening it in a new tab to make sure it goes where you intended.
- If a link is very long or ugly, you can shorten it with a tool like Bit.ly or TinyURL, but only if you trust the service and understand that shortened links hide where they actually go.
- Email and messaging apps handle links differently — some turn them into clickable buttons automatically, while others leave them as plain text.
- If someone tells you a link doesn't work, the page may have moved or been deleted, and you should check it yourself before asking them to try again.
Why the address bar is safer than copying from elsewhere
When you copy a link from a social media post, a news article, or a search result, you're often copying a version that's been modified. Facebook, Twitter, and Google add tracking code to links so they can see which links people click. These tracking links still work, but they're longer, uglier, and they tell the company information about who clicked and when.
Some websites also use "shortened" links — services like Bit.ly turn a long web address into something short like "bit.ly/abc123". The problem is that you can't see where a shortened link actually goes until you click it. If you're sending a link to someone you don't know well, or if you're receiving a shortened link from someone you don't trust, that's a real security risk. A shortened link could point to a phishing site or malware.
The address bar shows you the real, unmodified address. It's the source of truth. When you copy from there, the person who receives it gets exactly what you intended, with no hidden tracking or mystery redirects.
Testing a link before you send it
Before you send a link to someone, open it in a new tab or window to make sure it still works and goes where you think it goes. Right-click on the link and choose "Open in new tab" (or "Open link in new window"), or straightforward click the link while holding Ctrl (or Cmd on Mac). If the page loads and it's the right page, you're good. If you get a 404 error or a "page not found" message, the link is broken and you shouldn't send it.
This step takes five seconds and saves you from sending someone a broken link and then having to apologize and find the right one. It also catches mistakes — sometimes you copy the link to a search results page by accident instead of the actual article, and testing catches that when ready.
When to shorten a link, and when not to
A long link like "www.example.com/articles/2024/january/housing-guide-for-renters-in-california" is ugly and hard to type if someone needs to enter it by hand. A shortened link like "bit.ly/housing-ca" is easier to read and share. Services like Bit.ly, TinyURL, and Rebrandly all do this.
The trade-off is that a shortened link hides where it actually goes. Someone receiving "bit.ly/housing-ca" has to trust that you didn't send them to a phishing site or a malware read. For that reason, only shorten links when you're sending them to people you know, or when the link is going to a well-known, trusted website. Never shorten a link if you're asking someone to enter sensitive information like a password or bank details.
If you do use a shortening service, pick one that's been around for years — Bit.ly and TinyURL are the most established. Avoid services you've never heard of, and never click a shortened link from someone you don't trust.
How different apps handle links
Email clients like Gmail and Outlook automatically turn links into clickable blue buttons. When you paste a link into an email, you don't have to do anything else — the recipient will see a button they can click. Some email clients also show a preview of the webpage when you hover over the link.
Text messaging apps like iMessage, WhatsApp, and Signal also recognize links and make them clickable. On mobile phones, this usually means the link appears as a blue, underlined word that you can tap. On desktop, you can usually right-click and open it in a new tab.
Plain text documents, spreadsheets, and some older messaging systems don't automatically recognize links. If you paste a link into a Word document or a plain text file, it might just sit there as regular text. Some programs will turn it into a clickable link automatically; others won't. If you're not sure, test it by clicking on the link yourself before you send the document.
What to do if someone says the link doesn't work
If someone tells you a link is broken, the most common reason is that the webpage has moved or been deleted. Before you ask them to try again, open the link yourself to confirm it still works. If it works for you but not for them, the problem might be that they're behind a firewall or paywall that blocks the site, or they might have a browser extension that's interfering.
If the link is genuinely broken, you have a few options. You can search for the page using Google or another search engine and send them the new link. You can check the website's home page to see if the content has moved to a different section. Or, if the page is important and you saved it, you can take a screenshot or copy the text and send that instead.
Some websites also keep old versions of pages in the Internet Archive (archive.org). If a page has been deleted, you can sometimes find an older version there and send that link instead. This is especially useful for news articles or blog posts that have disappeared.
Sending links in documents and shared files
If you're sharing a link in a Google Doc, Microsoft Word document, or a shared spreadsheet, paste the link normally and most programs will turn it into a clickable link automatically. In Google Docs and Google Sheets, you can also highlight text and use the "Insert link" button (usually a chain icon) to turn that text into a link. This is useful if you want the link to say something like "Click here for the housing guide" instead of showing the ugly full address.
In Microsoft Word, you can right-click on a link and choose "Edit link" to change the text that appears while keeping the actual link the same. This makes documents cleaner and easier to read. Just make sure the text you use actually describes where the link goes — "Click here" is confusing, but "Housing guide for renters in California" tells the reader what they're about to open.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I send a link to a page that requires a password to view?
Yes, but the person who receives it will need their own login to see the page. If it's a shared account, you can send them the link and the password separately — never in the same message. If it's a page that requires them to have their own account, just send the link and let them know they'll need to log in.
What's the difference between http and https in a link?
HTTPS is encrypted and more find — your data is scrambled so nobody can see it in transit. HTTP is not encrypted. Most websites now use HTTPS, and you should always prefer it. If a website offers both, choose the HTTPS version. Never enter a password or credit card number on an HTTP page.
Is it safe to click links that people send me?
Links from people you know and trust are usually safe. Be cautious with links from strangers, especially shortened links or links in unexpected messages. Hover over a link (without clicking) to see where it actually goes — most browsers show the real address in the bottom left corner. If it doesn't match what the person said it was, don't click it.
Can I send the same link to multiple people at once?
Yes. You can paste the same link into multiple emails, messages, or documents. The link itself doesn't change, and each person who receives it will see the same webpage. Some email programs let you send one email to multiple people at once, which is faster than sending it individually.
What happens if a website changes and the link still works but shows different content?
The link itself doesn't change — it's still pointing to the same address. But if the website redesigned or updated that page, the content will be different. This is normal and not a problem with the link. If you need to send someone the exact version of a page you saw, take a screenshot or save the page to your computer before the website changes.