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Mastering the Art of Sharing: How to Copy a Facebook Post Link Like a Pro

So, you’ve stumbled upon a Facebook post so brilliant, hilarious, or insightful that you simply must share it beyond the confines of your own newsfeed. The key? Grabbing that elusive Facebook post link. Fear not, my friend! Obtaining that digital key to sharing is easier than you might think, and I’m here to guide you through the process on all your devices.

How to copy a Facebook post link?

Essentially, there are three main avenues to snagging that link: using your computer (desktop or laptop), wielding your smartphone or tablet (iOS or Android) via the app, or using your smartphone or tablet through a mobile browser. The steps are slightly different for each, but all lead to the same glorious destination: a copied link ready to be pasted and shared across the internet. Let’s break it down.

Copying a Facebook Post Link on a Computer (Desktop/Laptop)

Ah, the good old reliable computer. Here’s how to grab that link:

Locate the post: Scroll through your newsfeed or visit the profile or page where the post resides.
Find the date/time stamp: Look for the small text below the poster’s name that indicates when the post was published (e.g., “5 hours ago,” “Yesterday at 3:00 PM,” or the full date).
Right-click and copy: Right-click directly on the date/time stamp. A context menu will appear. Select “Copy link address” (or a similar option depending on your browser, like “Copy Link”).
Alternatively, use the three dots: Some posts have three vertical dots in the upper-right corner. Click these dots. A dropdown menu will appear. Select “Copy link”.
Paste and share: The link is now copied to your clipboard. You can paste it into an email, a text message, another Facebook post, or anywhere else you desire. Just right-click in the desired field and select “Paste” (or use the keyboard shortcut Ctrl+V on Windows or Cmd+V on Mac).

Copying a Facebook Post Link on a Smartphone or Tablet (Using the Facebook App)

The Facebook app on your mobile device is your pocket portal to social interaction. Here’s how to liberate that post link:

Find the post: As before, navigate to the post you want to share.
Tap the three dots: Look for the three horizontal dots (sometimes vertical) in the upper-right corner of the post. Tap them.
Select “Copy link”: A menu will pop up. Choose the “Copy link” option.
Paste and share: The link is now copied. Tap and hold in the text field where you want to paste the link (email, message, etc.). Select “Paste” from the menu that appears.

Copying a Facebook Post Link on a Smartphone or Tablet (Using a Mobile Browser)

If you prefer using your mobile browser to access Facebook, the process is slightly different:

Locate the post: Navigate to the desired post using your mobile browser (Chrome, Safari, Firefox, etc.).
Tap the date/time stamp: Just like on a desktop, tap directly on the date/time stamp below the poster’s name. This should open the post in its own dedicated page within the browser.
Copy the URL from the address bar: Tap the address bar at the top of your browser to select the entire URL. Then, choose “Copy” from the options that appear. On some phones, you may need to tap and hold the address bar to bring up the “Copy” option.
Paste and share: The link is now copied to your clipboard. Tap and hold in the desired text field and select “Paste.”

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are 12 of the most frequently asked questions regarding copying Facebook post links, along with some expert insights:

1. Why can’t I see the “Copy link” option on some posts?

This usually happens when the post’s privacy settings are set to “Only Me” or “Friends Only” and you are not friends with the poster. Facebook restricts link sharing for posts with limited visibility to protect the privacy of the content creator. If the post is from a group, you need to be a member of the group to copy the link.

2. Will the link still work if the original poster deletes the post?

No. If the original poster deletes the post, the link will become invalid and will lead to an error message (typically stating that the content is unavailable). The link is essentially a pointer to a specific piece of data on Facebook’s servers; once that data is gone, the pointer becomes useless.

3. How do I copy the link to a comment on a Facebook post?

Finding the direct link to a specific comment requires a bit more finesse. You’ll need to hover your mouse over the timestamp of the comment (e.g., “2 hours ago”) on a computer. The URL in your browser’s status bar will change to reflect the specific comment. Right-click the timestamp and select “Copy link address.” On mobile, tapping the timestamp of the comment might not always work. Instead, look for a “View Activity” or similar option near the comment, which might lead you to a dedicated page for that comment where you can copy the URL from the address bar.

4. Can I copy the link to a Facebook story?

Yes, but the method varies slightly. Open the story, and look for a “Share” button or icon (often an arrow pointing upwards). Tapping this button will usually present you with options, including “Copy link.” Stories are ephemeral, though, so the link will only work while the story is still active (typically 24 hours).

5. Is it possible to copy a link to a Facebook video?

Absolutely! Navigate to the video post. On a computer, click the three dots in the upper-right corner of the video post and select “Copy link.” On the app, the process is identical: tap the three dots and choose “Copy link.”

6. How do I copy a link to a shared post (a post someone else shared on their timeline)?

The process is the same as copying the link to a regular post. Look for the date/time stamp below the person’s name (the date/time they shared the post, not the original post date). Right-click (on a computer) or tap the three dots (on mobile) to access the “Copy link” option.

7. Does copying a link notify the original poster?

No, the poster is not notified when someone copies the link to their post. Copying a link is a passive action. It’s akin to noting down the address of a physical location; the owner of the location doesn’t know you’ve written it down.

8. Can I shorten a Facebook post link?

Yes! Facebook post links are notoriously long. You can use a link shortening service like Bitly, TinyURL, or Rebrandly to create a shorter, more manageable link. Simply paste the Facebook post link into the service, and it will generate a shortened version.

9. What happens if I paste a Facebook post link into a platform that doesn’t support link previews?

If the platform doesn’t support link previews, the link will simply appear as a raw URL. People will need to click on the link to view the Facebook post. Many platforms, including most social media sites and messaging apps, do support link previews, which display a snippet of the content along with the link.

10. Is it legal to copy and share Facebook post links?

Generally, yes, it is legal to copy and share Facebook post links. However, you should always respect copyright and intellectual property laws. If the post contains copyrighted material (e.g., a song, a video clip) that the poster doesn’t have the rights to share, you could potentially be held liable for copyright infringement if you share the link and contribute to the unauthorized distribution of the content. Furthermore, refrain from sharing links to posts containing personal or sensitive information without the explicit consent of the individuals involved.

11. Why does the copied link sometimes lead to a different version of the post than what I saw?

This is rare but can happen. Facebook sometimes uses different URLs depending on how you access the post. The most common reason is due to tracking parameters added to the URL. These parameters are used by Facebook to track how people are finding and sharing content. The core content of the post should still be the same, though.

12. Can I copy a link to a Facebook post from an embedded Facebook post?

Yes, although the method might differ based on the embedding platform. Typically, you would need to click on the embedded post to be redirected to the actual Facebook post on Facebook.com. Once on the Facebook website, you can follow the instructions outlined earlier to copy the link.

Mastering the art of copying a Facebook post link empowers you to share the content you find valuable with a wider audience. Whether you’re on a computer or a mobile device, the process is straightforward once you know the steps. Now go forth and share those captivating posts with the world! Just remember to be mindful of privacy and copyright.