Threads automatically creates a link preview card when you paste a URL into a new post. The card shows the page title, a description, and an image from the link. This feature helps your followers see what your post is about before they tap the link. However, the preview card only works with supported URLs and correct metadata. This article explains how to add a link preview card, what types of links work, and how to fix a missing or broken preview.
Key Takeaways: Adding Link Previews in Threads
- Paste a URL directly into the compose box: Threads generates a preview card automatically from the link.
- Remove the URL text after the preview appears: You can delete the typed URL and keep only the card to save character space.
- Supported link types: Articles, product pages, and social media posts with Open Graph or Twitter Card metadata work best.
How Threads Generates Link Preview Cards
Threads uses the Open Graph protocol and Twitter Card metadata from the destination webpage to build a preview card. When you paste a URL, the Threads app or website sends a request to that URL, reads the og:title, og:description, and og:image tags, and displays them in a compact card below your text. The card appears immediately after you paste the link, usually within one to two seconds. If the webpage does not have these metadata tags, Threads cannot generate a preview and shows only the raw URL.
The preview card includes a small thumbnail image, the page title, and a short description. You can tap or click the card to open the link in your device browser. The card does not include a play button for video links, but the image may show a still frame from the video if the page provides a suitable thumbnail.
Steps to Add a Link Preview Card to a Threads Post
Follow these instructions to create a link preview card on the Threads mobile app or the web version. The steps are identical on both platforms.
- Open the Threads compose window
Tap the plus icon at the bottom of the screen on the mobile app, or click the compose box at the top of the feed on the web version. The text input area appears. - Type or paste the full URL
Enter the complete web address including the https:// prefix. For example,https://www.example.com/article. Do not use shortened URLs like bit.ly because they may not generate a preview card. - Wait for the preview card to load
Threads fetches the link metadata automatically. A gray placeholder appears first, then the card shows the title, description, and image. This takes up to three seconds on a stable internet connection. - Delete the URL text from the post body
After the preview card appears, tap or click inside the text area and remove the typed URL. The card remains attached to the post. This step is optional but saves characters for your message. - Add your caption text
Type your message above or below the card. You can include hashtags, mentions, and emoji. The preview card stays in place regardless of where you position the cursor. - Tap Post to publish the thread
Threads publishes the post with the link preview card visible to all followers. The card is interactive and opens the link when tapped.
Common Issues with Link Preview Cards in Threads
Link preview card does not appear after pasting the URL
If the preview card does not load, the destination webpage likely lacks Open Graph or Twitter Card metadata. Some sites block automated requests from social media platforms. You can test the link by pasting it into the Facebook Sharing Debugger tool. If the debugger shows no metadata, the site does not support preview cards. Try using a different URL from the same domain or contact the site owner to add metadata tags.
Preview card shows the wrong image or title
Threads uses the metadata that the webpage provides. If the page has outdated or incorrect Open Graph tags, the preview card displays that information. The site owner must update the og:image or og:title tags. You cannot edit the preview card manually in Threads. To force a refresh, paste the URL into the Facebook Sharing Debugger and click Scrape Again. Then repaste the URL into Threads.
Link preview card disappears when you delete the URL text
This happens when you delete the URL before the preview card fully loads. Wait until the card shows the complete title and image before removing the URL text. If the card disappears, undo the deletion by tapping Undo or pressing Ctrl+Z on Windows. Then wait for the card to stabilize before deleting the URL again.
Threads Link Preview vs. Other Social Platforms
| Item | Threads | X (formerly Twitter) |
|---|---|---|
| Preview generation | Automatic after pasting URL | Automatic after pasting URL |
| Image size | Small square thumbnail | Large rectangular card |
| URL removal from text | Supported after card loads | Supported after card loads |
| Edit preview manually | Not supported | Not supported |
| Video preview with play button | Not supported | Supported for YouTube and Vimeo |
Threads link previews are simpler than those on X. Threads does not show a play button for video links, and the thumbnail is smaller. Both platforms rely on the same metadata standards, so a link that works on X will also work on Threads.
To ensure your link preview card appears correctly, always use the full URL and wait for the card to load fully before editing the post. If the card fails, check the source website for proper Open Graph tags. Threads does not offer a manual override for preview cards, so the quality of the preview depends entirely on the destination page.
After publishing, you can view the preview card by tapping your post in the feed. The card remains attached even if you edit the post caption later. For links that do not generate a preview, consider adding a custom image to your post using the photo attachment feature instead of relying on the link card.