Use Link Preview in Outlook.com and Outlook on the web
Applies ToOffice for business Office 365 Small Business Microsoft 365 admin Outlook.com Outlook on the web for Exchange Server 2016 Outlook on the web for Exchange Server 2019

When you add a URL to an email message in Outlook.com or Outlook on the web, or when you receive an email message with a URL in the body, you'll see a rich preview that includes a link title, thumbnail image, and description of the link. This is called a link preview.

With the Link Preview feature turned off, a URL looks like this: https://www.microsoft.com.

With the Link Preview feature turned on, the same URL looks like this:

Link Preview

Note: Link Preview is turned on by default. If you don't see a link with a thumbnail image, title, and description like the one shown above and want to see them, turn Link Preview on.

Add a link preview in an email message

  1. When composing an email message, type a URL in the message body. For example, you could type https://microsoft.com.

  2. If Link Preview is turned on, it automatically provides the site's name, description, and thumbnail image (if available) in the message body.

    Note: To open or follow a link preview, simply click it like any other hyperlink.

Turn off the Link Preview feature

Link Preview is turned on by default in Outlook.com and Outlook on the web, so you see rich previews of URLs when you're reading and composing email messages. However, you can turn off Link Preview if you prefer.

Instructions for the Outlook.com and Outlook on the web

Note: If the instructions don't match what you see, you might be using an older version of Outlook on the web. Try the Instructions for classic Outlook on the web.

  1. At the top of the page, select Settings  > Mail > Compose and reply.

  2. Scroll down to Link preview.

  3. Under Link preview, clear the Preview links in email check box to turn off Link Preview.

Select the Preview links in email check box to turn Link Preview back on.

Instructions for classic Outlook on the web

  1. At the top of the page, select Settings > Options or Mail.

  2. In the Options pane, under Mail > Layout, select Link preview.

  3. Under Link preview, clear the Preview links in email check box to turn off Link Preview.

Select the Preview links in email check box to turn Link Preview back on.

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