What a link is and why you need one

A link is the address of a webpage or file on the internet. When you copy that address and send it to someone else, they can click it to go directly to that page without having to search for it themselves. Links look like https://www.example.com or https://www.example.com/page-name.

You create a link whenever you want to share something specific with another person — a news article, a video, a document, a photo album, or a product page. Instead of describing where to find it, you give them the exact address.

Links work the same way whether you are using a computer, phone, or tablet. The process is nearly identical across browsers like Chrome, Safari, Firefox, and Edge.

Key Takeaways

  • The link to any webpage is shown in the address bar at the top of your browser — copy it from there and paste it into an email or message.
  • Right-clicking a link and selecting "Copy link address" is faster than manually selecting and copying the address bar.
  • Shortened links (created by services like Bit.ly) make long addresses easier to share in texts and social media, but the original link always works.
  • Links to files on your computer (like a Word document or PDF) cannot be shared the same way — you must email the file itself or upload it to a cloud service first.
  • If a link stops working, the webpage may have moved, been deleted, or the site may be temporarily down.

Finding and copying a link from your browser

Every webpage has a link. You can see it in the address bar — the long text field at the very top of your browser window that starts with https://. This is the link you share.

To copy it, click once on the address bar to select it. The entire address will highlight in blue. Then press Ctrl+C on Windows or Command+C on Mac. The link is now copied to your clipboard. Open an email, text message, or chat window and press Ctrl+V (Windows) or Command+V (Mac) to paste it.

On a phone or tablet, tap the address bar, then tap and hold until a menu appears with a "Copy" option. Tap it, then open your messaging app and paste the same way.

Right-clicking to copy a link faster

If you see a link already on a webpage — blue underlined text that you can click — you can copy it without going to the address bar. Right-click (or long-press on a phone) on that link. A menu will appear with several options.

Look for "Copy link address" or "Copy link" depending on your browser. Click it. The link is now copied and ready to paste into a message or email. This method is faster than copying from the address bar and works the same way.

On a phone, long-press the link until a menu appears, then tap "Copy link" or "Copy URL".

Shortening a long link

Some webpages have very long addresses that are hard to type or look messy when shared in a text message. You can shorten them using a free service like Bit.ly, TinyURL, or Ow.ly.

Go to Bit.ly.com, paste your long link into the text box, and click "Shorten". The service will create a much shorter address that redirects to the original. You can then copy and share the short version. The original link still works — the short one just takes fewer characters.

Shortened links are useful for text messages, social media posts, or anywhere space is limited. They do not change what the link points to or make it less safe, though some people are cautious about clicking shortened links from strangers because they cannot see where the link actually goes before clicking.

Sharing links in email and messaging apps

Once you have copied a link, paste it into an email, text message, or chat app the same way on any device: press Ctrl+V (Windows) or Command+V (Mac), or tap and hold and select "Paste" on a phone.

Most email and messaging apps will automatically turn the link into a clickable blue underline. If it does not, the person you send it to can still copy and paste it into their browser address bar to visit the page.

You can also add a few words before or after the link to explain what it is: "Here is that recipe I mentioned: https://www.example.com/recipe" or "Check out this article about gardening — https://www.example.com/gardening-tips".

Why some links stop working

A link you shared yesterday may not work today. This happens for several reasons. The webpage may have been moved to a new address, the site owner may have deleted the page, or the website itself may be temporarily down for maintenance.

If you click a link and see an error message like "404 Not Found" or "This page could not be reached", the link is broken. You can try searching for the content by name to find a new version, or contact the person who sent you the link to ask if they have an updated address.

Links to news articles are especially likely to break over time because news sites reorganize their archives. Links to product pages may break if a store removes an item from sale.

Links to files on your computer

You cannot share a link to a file that lives only on your computer — a Word document, PDF, photo, or spreadsheet. Links only work for things on the internet. If you try to copy the file path from your computer and send it, the other person will not be able to open it.

To share a file, you have two options. You can email the file as an attachment by opening your email, clicking "Attach" or the paperclip icon, and selecting the file from your computer. Or you can upload the file to a cloud service like Google Drive, Dropbox, or OneDrive, then copy and share the link to that cloud version.

Uploading to the cloud is often better because the other person can view the file without downloading it, and you can control who has permission to see it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change a link after I send it?

No. Once you send a link, it goes to that webpage. If the webpage is deleted or moved, the link breaks, but you cannot redirect an old link to a new page. If you need to send a corrected link, send a new message with the updated address.

Is it safe to click a link from someone I do not know?

Be cautious. Links can point to malicious websites designed to steal information or install unwanted software. Do not click links from strangers in emails or messages, especially if they ask you to log in or enter personal information. If you are unsure, type the website name directly into your browser instead.

What is the difference between http and https?

Both are links to webpages. HTTPS (with the "S") means the connection is encrypted and more secure, especially when you are entering passwords or payment information. Most modern websites use HTTPS. HTTP (without the "S") is older and less secure. Both work the same way when you click them.

Why does my link look different on my phone than on my computer?

The address bar on phones is often hidden or shortened to save space. The link itself is the same — it just displays differently. When you copy it, you get the full address regardless of how it appears on your screen.

Can I share a link to a private social media post?

Only if the person you send it to has permission to see that post. If your post is set to private or visible only to friends, someone outside that group will see an error message when they click the link. Public posts can be shared with anyone.