New format
VK links: mentions, previews, and post URLs
On VK, a “styled link” isn’t just the raw address from the browser bar. More often it means a clickable profile or group mention with a label, or an external site card with a preview.
Below: why that formatting matters, how to tag a user or community, how to attach an external URL, and how to copy a link to a specific post. The VK UI changes — focus on syntax and meaning, not button screenshots.
Why format links in VK
Mentions help tag winners, authors, partners, and colleagues without awkward ID paste. Readers click more easily; recipients are more likely to get a signal.
External links with previews send traffic to the site and make a post clearer than a wall of plain text. For a community that’s both convenience and measurable clicks.
Typical jobs:
- tag a person in a post or comment
- credit authorship
- announce a site article
- send colleagues the exact post URL
Mentioning a user or community
If someone is a friend, typing `*` and starting the name often works — VK suggests a match and inserts a clickable construct with a label in parentheses. You can edit the label: the feed shows your text; the click goes to the right profile.
If they aren’t a friend, take the ID from the page URL and build the mention by hand, e.g. `@id123456789 (First Last)`. For communities, do the same via short address or community ID. Check current syntax in VK Help: UI details change.
Practical tips:
- verify the click opens the right profile
- don’t spam mentions — it annoys people and kills trust
- in communities, tagging winners and speakers works well
- respect privacy and block lists
Link to an external site
Copy the page’s HTTPS address and paste it into the post with spaces around it. VK usually pulls a preview: title, description, image. You can refresh or remove the preview in the post editor if needed.
For analytics, add UTMs on the site side. Don’t paste other people’s articles wholesale — a short teaser and a link to the source is better.
Link to a VK post
Open the post as its own page (often via the publish date) and copy the URL. Send it in messages, paste into another post, or use it in contests and reports.
Alternatively, use Share: repost to a wall or community without hand-copying. For a team, a short exact post URL cuts “which one from the feed?” confusion.
FAQ
How does a mention differ from a plain URL?
A mention is a blue clickable label to a profile or community, plus a notification to the recipient (if settings allow). A bare URL is just address text.
Can I label an external site the same way?
The `@id… (label)` syntax works for VK profiles and communities. An external site is usually pasted as a URL — the platform builds the preview.
Does a mention send a notification?
Usually yes if the page isn’t closed and the user isn’t on a block list. On fully private setups the notice may not go out.
How do I tag someone who isn’t a friend?
Via ID: a format like `@id123456 (Name)` or the current analogue from VK Help. For friends, `*` and suggestions often suffice.
Why use an external-link preview?
Readers see title and image before they click. The site gets a clearer handoff from the feed.
How do I copy the link to a specific post?
Open the post (often via the date/time) and copy the URL from the address bar — or use Share.
Do I need a link shortener?
Not required. Useful for long UTM addresses or when the platform offers its own short form.
How does this relate to HTML links on a site?
Different environment. On a site you use an `<a href>` tag. On VK you use mention markup and previews. See the clickable-link article.
Mentions don’t click and site previews look broken?
We’ll set mention syntax, HTTPS previews, and exact post URLs — without spam tags.
Discuss the task
