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What is What's the link?
What's the link? is a small web utility for inspecting a link before you open it. You paste a URL, and the site shows what that link points to—typically the destination address, the domain behind it, and details that reveal where the link really leads. It is aimed at people who receive shortened or unfamiliar links and want to check them without committing to a click.
When it is useful
- Shortened links from messages: A link like a random short code gives no hint of its destination. Checking it first shows the real address.
- Links from unknown senders: If an email or chat message contains an unexpected link, previewing it helps you decide whether it is worth opening.
- Sharing with cautious readers: If you send links to others, you can confirm they resolve where you expect before passing them on.
What it is not
It is a link inspector, not a full security scanner. It shows where a link leads; it does not guarantee the destination is safe, and a clean-looking preview is not a verdict on the site behind it. Treat it as one step in a cautious routine—pair it with your own judgment about the sender and the context.
A practical next step
Before clicking an unfamiliar shortened link, paste it into the tool, read the destination domain, and ask whether that domain matches what the message claims. If the destination is unexpected or the sender is unknown, skip the link and verify through a separate channel.
How can I check where a link actually goes before clicking it?
Use a link-expander or URL inspector to reveal the true destination behind shortened or wrapped links, then read the expanded address before opening it. For a quick check, paste the link into a service like What's the link? and compare the result with what you expect.
A practical routine
- Hover over the link (on desktop) to preview the status-bar URL. On mobile, long-press to see the destination.
- If it's shortened (bit.ly, t.co, etc.), expand it first rather than guessing.
- Read the expanded URL from right to left: check the domain just before the first single slash.
https://example.com.evil.net/is notexample.com. - Watch for lookalike characters, extra subdomains, unusual ports, and
@in the address. - If the destination is a download or login page you didn't expect, stop.
When to use which check
| Situation | Best first step | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Shortened link from a message | Expand with a link inspector | The visible text hides the real host |
| Link in an email | Hover/long-press to preview | Avoids clicking to learn the target |
| Suspicious domain | Check the registered domain | Catches subdomain tricks |
| Link to a file | Expand and inspect the path/extension | Reveals unexpected downloads |
As a next step, if the expanded address looks plausible but unfamiliar, search the domain name separately in your browser and confirm it matches the organization before you click through.
Can What's the link? help me tell whether a shortened URL is safe?
It can help you inspect a shortened URL, but it should not be treated as a safety verdict. The site is built around revealing where a link actually leads, which is the first thing you need before judging a shortened URL—yet destination disclosure alone doesn't prove a site is trustworthy.
Where it fits in a practical check
A shortened link hides its destination, so a reasonable workflow is:
- Expand the link to see the real destination domain.
- Compare that domain against what the message claims (a bank, delivery company, marketplace, government service).
- Look for mismatches, lookalike spellings, or unfamiliar domains before clicking.
- If the destination looks plausible but unfamiliar, check it independently—search the organisation's official site rather than trusting the link.
For a concrete case: a text message says a parcel is held and includes a short link. Expanding it reveals a domain that has nothing to do with any courier. That mismatch is the signal—you don't need a "safe/unsafe" badge to act on it.
What expansion can't tell you
Revealing a destination says nothing about whether that destination is malicious, newly registered, or impersonating a real brand. A link can expand to a genuine-looking domain that is still a phishing clone. Treat the expansion as one clue among several, not a clearance.
Useful companions
For a second opinion on the destination itself, these are worth knowing:
- VirusTotal — checks a URL against multiple security engines.
- urlscan.io — shows what a page loads and where it sends data.
- Google Transparency Report — site safety status for a domain.
Decision criterion
Use a link-expansion tool when the only question is "where does this go?" Use a reputation scanner when the question is "is this destination dangerous?" If the expanded domain doesn't match the sender's claimed identity, stop there—no further checking is needed to decide not to click.
How do I use What's the link? to inspect a link I received in an email or message?
Paste the link into the input field on What's the link? and submit it to see what the tool reports about that address. The practical workflow is to copy the full URL from the email or message without clicking it, paste it into the field, and review the result before deciding whether to open it.
A safe inspection routine
- Copy, don't click. On desktop, right-click the link and choose "Copy link address." On mobile, long-press the link and copy it. This keeps you from loading the page just to inspect it.
- Paste the whole URL. Include everything after the domain, since shortened links and tracking parameters can change where a link ultimately leads.
- Compare the destination with the claim. A message saying "your parcel is delayed" should point to a courier's domain, not an unrelated one. A mismatch is the strongest warning sign.
- Check shortened links carefully. If the link is shortened, the tool's report on the resolved destination matters more than the short form itself.
- Verify through a separate channel when money or credentials are involved. Open the organization's site directly or call the number on your statement rather than trusting the message.
When this approach helps most
This kind of inspection is most useful for unexpected messages: delivery notices, invoice attachments, account warnings, and invitations from unfamiliar senders. It is less useful for links you already expected and recognize, where the domain alone usually settles the question.
For a second opinion, you can compare results with other link-inspection services such as VirusTotal, which checks a URL against multiple security vendors, or urlscan.io, which records what a page does when loaded. These are useful complements because they approach the question from a different angle: reputation and live behavior rather than a single report.
A decision rule
Treat a link as suspicious if the domain differs from the sender's real organization, if the message creates urgency around payment or passwords, or if the report is ambiguous and you cannot confirm the destination independently. In those cases, don't open it; reach the organization through a channel you look up yourself.
Does What's the link? show the final destination of a redirect chain?
The available information about What's the link? doesn't describe redirect handling, so there's no basis to say it shows the final destination of a redirect chain. Treat that capability as unconfirmed rather than assumed.
How to check it yourself
Use a URL you control that redirects at least twice—for example, a short link pointing to an old page that forwards to a current one—and inspect what the tool reports. If it lists each hop in order and ends on the final URL, it resolves the chain. If it shows only the first target, it reports a single hop.
Why the distinction matters
A single-hop answer is enough for routine link checks, such as confirming where a shortened link points. A full chain matters when auditing links after a site migration, since intermediate redirects can mask dead ends or outdated destinations. For that work, a dedicated redirect checker or your browser's network panel gives a more reliable record.
If you need a definitive answer, test with a multi-hop link before relying on the tool for link auditing.
Is What's the link? free to use, or does it require an account?
The available information does not confirm whether What's the link? is free or requires an account, so neither can be stated as fact. To find out, open What's the link? and try the main feature: if it runs without a prompt to log in, it is usable without an account; if a sign-up screen appears first, an account is required.
A quick check:
- Try it first: run one typical link through the tool and note whether any login wall appears.
- Look for plan language: check the footer or menu for "Pricing," "Plans," or "Upgrade" to see whether a paid tier exists.
- Watch for limits: a free tool may still cap how many links you can check per day, so test a few in a row.
If you need an answer before relying on it for regular work, treat it as unconfirmed until you see the sign-up or pricing page yourself.
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