You can add a link to your Snap using the link sticker, but only if your account meets Snapchat's requirements

The link sticker is a built-in tool that lets you embed a clickable URL directly into a photo or video you send. When someone views your Snap, they see a tappable button or text that takes them to the link you chose. Not every account can use it — Snapchat restricts the feature to accounts that are at least a few weeks old, have a verified phone number, and have not violated community guidelines.

If your account is new or you have not verified your phone number, the link sticker will not appear in your sticker menu, even if you search for it. The restriction exists because links are a common way to spread spam and malware, so Snapchat gates the feature to reduce abuse.

Key Takeaways

  • The link sticker appears in your sticker menu only if your account is old enough, has a verified phone number, and has no community guideline violations.
  • To add a link, open the sticker menu while editing a Snap, search for or scroll to the link sticker, tap it, and paste or type the URL you want to share.
  • The link you add must be a full URL starting with http:// or https://, not just a domain name.
  • Links in Snaps expire when the Snap disappears — the recipient cannot tap the link after they have viewed the Snap and it has been deleted from the conversation.

How to add a link sticker step by step

Open Snapchat and take a photo or video as you normally would. Once you are in the editing screen — after you have tapped the capture button but before you send — look for the sticker icon. On most phones, this is a square smiley face or a sticker-shaped icon near the bottom of the screen.

Tap the sticker icon to open the sticker menu. You will see rows of different sticker types: emoji, text, location, and others. Scroll down or use the search box at the top to find the link sticker. It usually looks like a chain link or a box with an arrow pointing outward. Tap it once to select it.

A text field will appear asking you to enter a URL. Paste the full link you want to share — it must start with http:// or https://. If you type just a domain name like "example.com" without the protocol, Snapchat will reject it. Once you have entered the URL, tap the checkmark or confirm button.

The link sticker will now appear on your Snap as a tappable element. You can move it around by dragging it, resize it by pinching, or change its appearance by tapping it again. When you send the Snap, the recipient will see the link sticker and can tap it to open the URL in their browser.

What happens when someone taps your link

When a recipient taps the link sticker in your Snap, their phone opens the URL in their default web browser. Snapchat does not track clicks or collect data about where the link goes — that is between the recipient and the website. The link works the same way a link in a text message or email would.

The link remains tappable only while the Snap is visible. Once the recipient closes the Snap or it disappears from the conversation (Snaps typically vanish after being viewed, unless the recipient saves it), the link is no longer accessible. This is one reason Snapchat links are less permanent than links in other apps — the context disappears along with the message.

Troubleshooting: Why the link sticker is not showing up

If you cannot find the link sticker in your sticker menu, the most common reason is that your account does not yet meet Snapchat's requirements. Check the following: Is your account at least a few weeks old? Have you verified your phone number in Settings? Do you have any active community guideline violations or account warnings?

To verify your phone number, open Snapchat, tap your profile icon in the top left, tap the settings gear, scroll to "Username," and look for a phone verification option. If you see one, follow the prompts to add and confirm your number. After you have done this, wait a few minutes and check the sticker menu again.

If your account is brand new (less than two weeks old), the link sticker will not appear no matter what. Snapchat enforces this waiting period across all new accounts. If you have violated community guidelines recently, you may need to wait for the violation to age off your account before the feature becomes available again — this can take weeks or months depending on the severity.

Alternatives if you cannot use the link sticker

If your account does not have access to the link sticker yet, you have a few other options. You can share the link in a text message or chat within Snapchat itself — open a conversation, type the URL in the message box, and send it. The recipient will see it as a clickable link in the chat history.

You can also mention the link in the caption or text overlay of your Snap without making it clickable. Type the URL directly into a text sticker, and the recipient can copy it manually and paste it into their browser. This is less convenient but works on any account.

For businesses and creators, Snapchat offers other ways to drive traffic: Snapcodes (scannable codes that can link to websites or profiles), Stories with links (if you have a large following), and ads through Snapchat's ad platform. These features have their own requirements and are not available to all accounts.

What links work and what links do not

Snapchat accepts most standard web URLs. The link must start with http:// or https:// and point to a real, working website. You can link to news articles, product pages, social media profiles, YouTube videos, or any other public web content.

Snapchat does block links to certain categories of content, including sites known for malware, phishing, or illegal activity. If you try to add a link to a blocked site, Snapchat will show an error message and prevent you from adding it. This is a safety measure to protect your recipients.

Short links (URLs shortened with services like bit.ly or tinyurl.com) work fine, as do long URLs. There is no character limit for the link itself, though very long URLs may look awkward in the sticker preview.

Privacy and safety when sharing links on Snapchat

When you add a link to a Snap, you are responsible for what that link points to. Make sure you trust the destination and that it is appropriate for the people you are sending it to. Snapchat does not scan the content of websites you link to, so a link could theoretically point anywhere.

Recipients should use the same caution they would with any link: do not tap links from people you do not know, and be wary of links that seem suspicious or out of character for the sender. Snapchat's disappearing message model actually provides some protection here — if a link is malicious, the Snap (and the link) disappears after viewing, limiting how long the threat persists.

Snapchat does not collect data about which links you share or which links recipients tap. Your link activity is not tied to your Snapchat profile or used for advertising purposes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I add a link to a Story instead of a one-on-one Snap?

Yes, the link sticker works the same way in Stories as it does in direct Snaps. The same account requirements explore — your account must be old enough and verified. Links in Stories are visible to all your followers and remain tappable for as long as the Story is live (usually 24 hours).

What if the link I want to share is blocked by Snapchat?

Snapchat will show an error message if you try to add a blocked link. You cannot override this. If you believe the link was blocked by mistake, you can contact Snapchat support through the app, but there is no may provide they will unblock it. In the meantime, you can share the link in a text message or chat instead.

Do I need a special account type or follower count to use the link sticker?

No. The link sticker is available to any account that meets the basic requirements (age, phone verification, no violations). You do not need a business account, a certain number of followers, or any special status. The feature is the same for all may be able to access accounts.

Can someone screenshot my Snap and still tap the link afterward?

No. The link sticker is only functional within the Snapchat app while viewing the Snap. If someone takes a screenshot, the image is static — the link is not clickable in the screenshot. The link only works when tapped directly in the app.

How long does the link stay active in a Snap?

The link is active as long as the Snap is visible to the recipient. Once they close the Snap or it disappears from the conversation (which happens automatically after viewing for most Snaps), the link is no longer accessible. If the recipient saves the Snap, the link may remain visible in the saved image, but it will not be clickable.