Share links and set preview preferences

It's easy to share web content like articles, pages, and other links in Slack. When you share a link, you'll see a preview of the content just below your message. If you don't want to see link previews, you can turn them off.


Share links

To share a link in Slack, copy and paste the URL into the message field and send. Most links to websites and connected third-party apps (like Jira, Google Drive, and more) will automatically expand to show a preview. Here's an example from the desktop app:

Link and preview in a Slack channel

Note: Previews for third-party app links can vary depending on the app. By default, you'll see detailed previews, but owners and admins can restrict this.


When previews don't display

Here are some reasons your link may not expand to show a preview:

  • The link contains no preview data 
    If the web page doesn't include the necessary embedded data, the preview won't expand.
  • You linked to a private page or file 
    For example, you won't see a preview of password-protected YouTube or Vimeo videos.
  • It was recently posted by another member of your workspace
    No attachment will expand if that link was shared in the same conversation within the past hour.
  • It links to audio or video hosted by a service we haven't added to our allowlist
    We're working to approve more services in the future.
  • http:// was not included
    Try adding http:// and your link should expand.
  • Your message contains more than five links
    If more than five links are included, they won't expand.

Tip: Your web administrator can also run your link through our URL debugging tool to confirm what preview metadata is being pulled. 

 

Remove a link preview 

Desktop

Mobile

  1. Hover over the link preview.
  2. Click the x that appears on the left side of the link.
  1. Long press a link in a message. 
  2. Tap   Remove Link Preview.  


Turn off link previews 

If you’d prefer not to see previews for shared links, you can adjust your preferences:

  1. Click your profile picture in the sidebar.
    Static image of a cursor clicking the profile picture menu in the Slack app
  2. Select Preferences from the menu.
  3. Click Messages & media from the list.
  4. Below Inline media & links, uncheck the boxes next to Show images and files from linked websites and Show text previews of linked websites.

Note: Previews for some third-party app links won’t be disabled when the options above are unchecked.

Who can use this feature?
  • All members and guests
  • Available on all plans