How to Post an Article Link in Facebook Comments: A Clear Guide

Author: Stephon Anderson, SEO & Social Media Copywriting Experts Publication Date: April 15, 2025 Expert Reviewed: Yes

Sharing information is at the heart of online conversation.

Sometimes, the best way to add depth, provide evidence, or simply share something cool within a Facebook discussion is by linking to an external article. But how do you effectively share a link in a Facebook comment without seeming disruptive or spammy? It's about more than just copy-pasting; it's about adding value.

This guide aims to provide clear, step-by-step instructions for posting external links in Facebook comments, grounded in best practices and current Facebook functionality as of April 2025. Our goal is to help you confidently insert an article link into a Facebook discussion, understand how link previews work, and navigate potential issues. We'll focus on the technical how-to while emphasizing the crucial why and when – ensuring your shared links enrich conversations, not derail them. Remember, this guide covers placing links within Facebook comment threads, specifically for articles and webpages, not embedding entire articles directly (which isn't a standard Facebook comment feature).

Steps to Post an Article Link in a Facebook Comment

The core process is straightforward, whether you're on a computer or your phone. Here's the breakdown:

Finding and Copying the Article URL

Before you can share, you need the right link.

Navigate to the Article: Open the news article, blog post, or webpage you want to share in your web browser.

Copy the URL:Desktop: Click into the browser's address bar at the top. The full URL should be highlighted. Right-click and select "Copy" or use the keyboard shortcut (Ctrl+C on Windows, Cmd+C on Mac).

Mobile: Tap the address bar. Then, look for a "Copy" icon or tap and hold the URL to get a "Copy" option. Alternatively, many sites have a "Share" button that might offer a "Copy Link" option.

Verify the Link: Ensure you've copied the direct link to the article itself.

Pitfall Alert: Be cautious! Avoid copying URLs from within a social media app's internal browser if possible, as they might be shortened or temporary. Crucially, links copied from behind strict paywalls or login screens may not be accessible to others. Session-specific URLs (common in some complex web apps) also won't work reliably. Always aim for the publicly accessible, canonical URL of the article. This is the easiest way to share an article in a FB comment successfully.

Posting the Link on Facebook (Desktop Guide)

Here are the steps to post an article in a Facebook comment using a desktop computer:

Locate the Post: Find the Facebook post where you want to leave your comment.

Find the Comment Section: Scroll down below the post content to find the comments.

Click to Comment: Click inside the box that says "Write a comment..."

(Optional but Highly Recommended) Add Context First: Before pasting the link, type out your thoughts. Why are you sharing this? What's the key takeaway? How does it relate? This transforms a simple link drop into a valuable contribution. This step is vital for adding value with comment links.

Paste the URL: Place your cursor where you want the link (usually after your text) and paste the copied URL (Ctrl+V on Windows, Cmd+V on Mac). This is the basic method for adding URLs to comments.

Wait for Preview (Optional): Facebook will often automatically try to generate a link preview (thumbnail, title, description). Give it a second or two to appear below your text box. We'll discuss previews more later.

Post: Press the Enter key or click the small 'Post' button (often an arrow icon). Your comment, along with the link (and potentially its preview), will now appear in the thread.

Sharing Links in Facebook Mobile Comments (iOS/Android)

Sharing links on Facebook mobile comments is very similar:

Find the Post & Comment: Navigate to the Facebook post and tap the "Comment" button below it.

Tap into Field: Tap the "Write a comment..." field to bring up your keyboard.

(Recommended) Type Your Context: Just like on desktop, add your commentary first. Explain the relevance of the link you're about to add to the Facebook comment section.

Paste the URL: Tap and hold in the comment field where you want the link, then select "Paste" from the menu that appears.

Preview Generation: Wait a moment to see if a rich link preview appears below your text.

Send: Tap the 'Send' or 'Post' icon (usually a paper airplane or arrow symbol).

Minor UI Differences [Experience]: While the process is functionally identical, the exact placement of buttons or the appearance of the paste menu might differ slightly between iOS, Android, and desktop versions. The core copy and paste link into Facebook comment action remains the same.

Understanding and Managing Facebook Comment Link Previews

When you post a URL in a Facebook reply, you'll often see a box appear with an image, title, and short description. This is the link preview.

What is a Link Preview in Comments?

A Facebook comment link preview is an automatically generated snippet that visually represents the webpage you've linked. It typically pulls:

• A thumbnail image (often the article's main image)

• The page title (e.g., the article headline)

• A short description (often the meta description or the first few sentences)

Why previews are helpful: They provide immediate visual context, making the link more engaging and trustworthy than a raw URL. A good preview encourages clicks by showing what the linked content is about, potentially boosting engagement through comment link sharing.

Why Isn't My Link Preview Showing in Facebook Comments?

Seeing your link appear without a preview can be frustrating. Here are common reasons why your link preview might not be showing in Facebook comments:

• Missing Open Graph Tags: The most common culprit. Websites tell Facebook (and other platforms) what to show in previews using specific code snippets in their HTML called "Open Graph tags" (og:title, og:description, og:image, etc.). If these tags are missing, incomplete, or incorrectly configured on the source website, Facebook can't generate a proper preview. This is essential knowledge for understanding Open Graph tags for comment links.

• Temporary Facebook Glitch: Sometimes, Facebook's preview generator service experiences temporary issues. Trying again later might work.

• URL Issues: Very long, complex, or redirected URLs might occasionally cause problems. Shortened URLs (like bit.ly) usually work, but sometimes Facebook struggles to follow the redirect quickly enough to generate a preview, or the shortener itself might be flagged. Issues with URL shorteners in Facebook comments can occur.

• Website Blocking Crawlers: The website might be configured to block Facebook's crawler (the tool it uses to fetch preview information).

• Facebook's Discretion: Sometimes, even with correct tags, Facebook might choose not to generate a preview for various internal reasons (e.g., prioritizing speed, deeming the content low quality). It's hard to fix a Facebook comment link preview in this case.

• First-Time Share: Occasionally, if a specific URL has never been shared on Facebook before, it might take longer for the preview to be cached and generated.

Can I Customize or Remove the Link Preview?

• Customization: As a commenter, you cannot directly customize the link preview for a Facebook comment. The appearance (image, title, Facebook comment link description) is determined by the Open Graph tags set by the website owner. If you own the website you're linking to, ensuring your OG tags are correct is the way to control the preview.

• Removal: Sometimes, while composing your comment, a small 'x' appears on the top-right corner of the generated preview box before you post it. Clicking this 'x' would remove the preview, leaving only your text and the raw URL. However, this feature's availability can be inconsistent across interfaces and Facebook updates. Check carefully before posting if you wish to remove it.

• Forcing a Preview: You generally cannot force Facebook to generate a link preview in a FB comment if it fails to do so automatically. The best approach is ensuring the source URL is correct and the website has proper OG tags. Controlling link appearance in FB comments primarily rests with the linked website's configuration.

Best Practices: Facebook Comment Link Etiquette

Knowing how to post a link is easy. Knowing when and why demonstrates understanding and respect for the platform and the conversation. Follow this Facebook comment link etiquette for better results.

Add Value, Don't Just Drop Links

Crucial Point: Never just paste a link without explanation. This is the digital equivalent of walking into a conversation, shouting a book title, and walking away. It's confusing and often perceived as spammy.

Always explain why you're sharing the link.

• "Here's an article that explains that concept in more detail..."

• "This study supports the point made earlier..."

• "I found this perspective really interesting in relation to the original post..." Providing context for shared links is paramount. It shows you're engaged and trying to contribute, not just self-promote or lazily point elsewhere. Master the art of using comments for discussion vs. link dropping.

Ensure Relevance to the Conversation

Only share links that directly relate to the original post or the specific comment thread you're participating in. Relevant link sharing in Facebook discussions is key. Posting an unrelated link, even if interesting, will likely be ignored or flagged as spam. Ask yourself: Does this genuinely add to this specific conversation? If not, consider alternatives to posting links in comments, like sharing it on your own timeline or in a direct message. Finding relevant discussions to share articles is a skill in itself.

Avoid Spamming Multiple Threads

Resist the urge to post the same URL in multiple Facebook replies across different posts, especially if they aren't closely related. This is a classic spam behavior and can quickly lead to your comments being hidden, your links being blocked, or even temporary restrictions on your account. Avoiding spam when sharing links in comments protects your ability to participate.

Respect Comment Policies (Groups/Pages)

Acknowledge: Many Facebook Pages and Groups have specific rules about posting external links in Facebook comments. Some disallow them entirely, some require admin approval, and others have specific guidelines. Always check the Group rules or Page guidelines (often found in the "About" section or a pinned post) before sharing.

Respecting the comment policy regarding external links is crucial for good community standing. Understand when is it appropriate to post links in FB comments within specific communities.

Troubleshooting Common Issues When Posting Links in FB Comments

Even when following best practices, you might encounter problems.

Here's how to handle common issues:

Facebook Blocking Links in Comments

Suddenly finding Facebook blocking links in comments can be alarming. Reasons often include [Expertise/Experience]:

• Flagged as Spam/Malicious: The specific URL or the entire domain may have been reported or automatically flagged by Facebook's systems as unsafe, spammy, or abusive. This could be due to the content itself or previous spammy sharing behavior associated with the link.

• URL Shortener Issues: Some URL shorteners might be blocked if they are frequently used to mask problematic links.

• Domain Reputation: If the website domain has a poor reputation (e.g., associated with malware or spam), Facebook might preemptively block links to it.

• Temporary Filter Sensitivity: Occasionally, Facebook's spam filters might become overly sensitive and temporarily block legitimate links.

• Repetitive Posting: Posting the same link too frequently, even if relevant, can trigger spam filters. My comment link was removed by Facebook is often a result of these filters.

What to try:

• Use the full, original URL instead of a shortened one.

• Check the link's safety status using tools like Google Safe Browse.

• If it's your website link being blocked, investigate potential issues with your site's security or content and check Facebook's Developer tools for domain verification options or insights.

• Wait and try again later if you suspect a temporary glitch.

Link Not Working After Posting

If someone clicks your shared link and reports it's broken:

• Check Copy/Paste Accuracy: Double-check that you copied the entire, correct URL. Even a small typo breaks it.

• Test It Yourself: Open the link in a private/incognito browser window. Does it work for you without being logged into any specific accounts?

• Paywall/Login Issues: Ensure the article isn't behind a hard paywall or requires a login that the person clicking doesn't have.

• Mention this possibility when sharing if applicable ("Note: This article might require a subscription"). This relates to sharing blog posts in comment sections or news article sharing via Facebook comments where access might be restricted.

• Website Downtime: The website itself might be temporarily down.

Error Message When Trying to Post Comment with Link

Receiving an error message when you hit 'Post' can be due to [Experience]:

• Temporary Facebook Issue: The platform might be experiencing temporary problems. Try posting again in a few minutes.

• Character Limit: While less common for just a link, if you've written very extensive commentary alongside it, you might theoretically hit the Facebook comment character limit. Try shortening your text. (Checking the current Facebook comment character limit links interaction might be useful, though limits are generally quite high).

• Link Blocking Conflict: The error might be a less direct way Facebook indicates an issue with the link itself (see the "Blocking Links" section above). Try posting the comment without the link to see if it goes through. If it does, the link is likely the problem.

• Connectivity: Ensure your internet connection is stable.

Troubleshooting comment link issues often involves simple checks first before assuming a major problem.

Conclusion: Sharing Articles in Comments Effectively

Posting an article link in a Facebook comment is technically simple: copy the URL, add context, and paste. The real skill lies in doing it thoughtfully. Remember, the goal is to enhance the conversation, provide value, and share information ethically.

By providing context for shared links, ensuring relevance, and respecting Facebook comment link etiquette, you move beyond simple link dropping. You become a source of valuable information, effectively citing sources in Facebook comments or enriching discussions. Understanding how Facebook comment link previews work and how to troubleshoot common problems empowers you to share confidently.

Using comment links wisely can significantly enrich online interactions, foster deeper discussions, and even help drive meaningful traffic when done correctly. It’s a small feature with the potential for significant impact when used with intention and respect for the Facebook comment features and community. Remember that the impact of comment links on post reach is complex and often debated within the context of the Facebook algorithm and comment links, but genuine, value-adding interactions are generally viewed positively.