The simplest way to embed a link in Discord

To embed a link in Discord, put the text you want to display in square brackets, then put the URL in parentheses directly after it, with no space between them. The format is [your text here](https://example.com). When you send the message, Discord converts it to a clickable link that shows only the text you chose, not the full URL.

This works in any Discord channel, direct message, or server where you can type. The link appears blue and underlined, just like a link on a website. Anyone who clicks it will be taken to that URL.

Key Takeaways

  • The format for an embedded link is [text](URL) with no space between the brackets and parentheses.
  • You can embed links in server channels, group chats, and direct messages anywhere you can type in Discord.
  • The link text can be anything you want — it does not have to match the actual URL.
  • Discord shows embedded links in blue and underlined so people know they are clickable.
  • If you make a mistake with the brackets or parentheses, Discord will not convert it and will show the raw text instead.

Step-by-step: embedding your first link

Step 1: Open the message box where you want to send the link. Click in the text field at the bottom of the channel or chat window.

Step 2: Type the text you want to display — for example, "Click here for the rules" or "My website". This is what other people will see and click on.

Step 3: Highlight and copy that text (or just remember what you typed). You will need it in the next step.

Step 4: Delete the text and type the opening square bracket [, then paste or retype the text, then type the closing square bracket ]. Now you have [Click here for the rules].

Step 5: Immediately after the closing bracket, with no space, type the opening parenthesis (, then paste or type the full URL, then type the closing parenthesis ). The complete format is [Click here for the rules](https://example.com/rules).

Step 6: Press Enter or click Send. Discord converts the text to a clickable link.

Common mistakes that break the link format

The most frequent error is putting a space between the closing bracket and the opening parenthesis. If you type [text] (url) with a space, Discord will not recognize it as a link and will show the raw text instead. The brackets and parentheses must touch directly.

Another mistake is forgetting the https:// or http:// at the start of the URL. Discord needs the protocol to know it is a web address. If you type [text](example.com) without the https://, the link may not work or may take people to the wrong place.

Copying and pasting can also introduce invisible characters or line breaks that break the format. If your link does not work after pasting, try typing it out manually instead, or delete the whole thing and start over.

Using embedded links in different Discord situations

In a server channel, embedded links work exactly the same way. Type the format, send it, and the link appears clickable. This is useful for sharing resources, documentation, or rules without cluttering the chat with a long URL.

In direct messages and group chats, the format is identical. You can embed links when sending a message to one person or to a group of friends.

If you are replying to someone else's message, you can still embed links in your reply. The format does not change — Discord recognizes it anywhere you can type.

What happens after you send an embedded link

Once you send the message, Discord displays the link text in blue and underlined. When someone hovers their mouse over it (on desktop) or taps it (on mobile), they see the actual URL in a preview. When they click or tap the link, their browser opens that URL.

You cannot edit the link text after you send it without deleting and retyping the entire message. If you need to change where the link points or what text it displays, right-click the message (or long-press on mobile), select Edit, make your changes, and save.

Embedding links with special characters or long URLs

If your URL contains special characters like question marks, ampersands, or hashtags, include them exactly as they appear. Discord handles these correctly as long as the format [text](url) is correct. For example, [search results](https://example.com/search?q=discord) works fine.

Very long URLs work the same way. The link text can be short and simple even if the URL is hundreds of characters long. This is actually one of the main reasons to use embedded links — it keeps your message clean and readable instead of showing the entire URL.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I embed a link without showing the URL to other people?

Yes, that is the whole point of embedding. When you use the [text](url) format, other people see only the text you chose. The actual URL is hidden until they hover over it or click it. This lets you write something like [click here] instead of pasting a long web address into the chat.

What if the link does not work after I send it?

Check that there is no space between the closing bracket and opening parenthesis. Also verify the URL starts with https:// or http://. If the link still does not work, delete the message and try typing it again manually instead of pasting. If the URL itself is broken or the website is down, the link will not work no matter how you format it.

Can I embed multiple links in one message?

Yes. You can use the [text](url) format as many times as you want in a single message. For example, [rules](https://example.com/rules) and [faq](https://example.com/faq) creates two separate clickable links in the same message.

Does embedding a link hide it from Discord's link preview?

No. Discord still shows a preview card below your message if the website supports it. The embedded link format only changes how the link text appears in the message itself, not whether Discord fetches a preview from that website.

Can I embed a link to a Discord server or channel?

Yes. Use the same format with a Discord invite URL or channel link. For example, [join our server](https://discord.gg/example) works exactly like any other embedded link.