1) Use a URL shortening service

Copy out the long link, paste it into TinyURL.com, and it will create a short version of it.

Do be aware that some corporate or government intranets forbid such links for security purposes, as it can be used by hackers to hide malicious links.

 

2) Remove characters from the back of the URL

Look for the first ? inside the link, and remove anything from it onwards. Examples:

  • https://scontent.fsin4-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t31.0-8/fr/cp0/e15/q65/17239833_10154263940487554_7806473610997802836_o.jpg?_nc_cat=1&efg=eyJpIjoidCJ9&_nc_ht=scontent.fsin4-1.fna&oh=4d79b303aba0682351d9eaf37b37df6f&oe=5C94E7C5
  • https://www.theguardian.com/film/2018/dec/13/rain-man-at-30-autism-hoffman-cruise-levinson?fbclid=IwAR2vFCkhXoZBHI28ENiVFd1oIYN4533vU7FSWahabiIgvdarveVzmL_r4Y0
  • https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/se-asia/charging-mobile-phone-electrocutes-indonesian-girl-to-death-during-lightning-strike?utm_medium=Social&utm_campaign=STFB&utm_source=Facebook#Echobox=1544690207
  • https://www.facebook.com/HennyKupferstein/posts/1192909977542751?__xts__%5B0%5D=68<lots of stuff>&__tn__=C-R0.g

Do note that some links, such as that from Facebook, may need to retain the characters in order to work properly:

  • https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=1888559508119084&id=1557825057865287

When in doubt, remove the stuff behind the ? and try to see if you can still access that page using your browser.

 

3) Save and post the item directly

If you are only posting a picture or a small document, save the file and post it directly to the WhatsApp group instead of the long URL. It will look neater and nicer.

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