Embeds & URL Previews in Comments

Allow users to enrich their comments with links displayed as interactive embeds or rich URL preview cards, enabling readers to engage with supported content directly or assess the context of a link before opening it.

When 'Show link previews & embeds' is enabled for the site, users can include a URL when posting a comment or reply. The URL remains visible as an active hyperlink, while the content displayed beneath the comment depends on the linked destination.

Embeds and URL Previews

Embeds and URL previews provide different ways of presenting linked content:

• Embeds allow readers to view or interact with supported external content directly within the comment, without opening it on a separate page
• URL previews provide a visual summary of the linked webpage using available metadata. Readers can review this information before deciding whether to open the link.

Embed and Preview Availability

Depending on the linked source and the information it provides, a URL may appear as either an interactive embed or a rich preview card.

The format and information displayed may vary between websites and content providers. Some links may support interactive content, while others may display available details such as a title, description, thumbnail, and source domain.

If the linked source does not provide the required information, or restricts Viafoura from retrieving it, the embed or preview may contain fewer details or may not be generated. Content displayed in embeds and previews is retrieved from the linked source and is not written or controlled by Viafoura.

Removing an Embed or Preview

Users can dismiss an embed or preview card when creating or editing a comment, or after the comment has been published, without removing the URL from the comment text.

When a user confirms the removal:

• The embed or preview is removed from the comment
• The URL remains visible as an active hyperlink
• The embed or preview is no longer visible

Restoring a Removed Embed or Preview

A removed embed or preview does not automatically reappear.

To generate it again, the user must:

• Edit the comment and paste or re-enter the URL

Re-entering the URL triggers the embed or preview to be generated again (provided URL Previews and Embeds is enabled for the site).

Viewing Embeds and URL Previews in the Moderation Console

Comments containing URLs will continue to appear in the Moderation Console as they do today. Moderators can review the comment text and URL and apply the same moderation actions and workflows currently used for links.

Embeds, preview cards, and their fetched content are not currently displayed in the Moderation Console. This includes:

• Interactive embedded content
• Preview thumbnails
• Page titles
• Page descriptions
• Source information

Sites are responsible for applying appropriate moderation policies and controls to comments containing URLs. Enabling URL Previews and Embeds does not introduce additional visibility or moderation capabilities within the Moderation Console.

Admin Configuration

Administrators can enable or disable URL Previews and Embeds at the site level from the Admin Console.

To manage the setting:

1. Sign in to the Viafoura Admin Console
2. Select the site you want to configure
3. Navigate to the Comments module
4. Enable or disable the "Show link previews & embeds" setting under the Comment Configuration section