What Does the Link Emoji 🔗 Mean?

PDF download Download Article
Discover what’s really getting linked together by this little emoji 🔗
PDF download Download Article

There are lots of emojis that depict seemingly random objects, but what in the world could the little metal loops of the 🔗 (link) emoji mean, especially on social media? When it comes to emojis, the most obvious meaning is usually the most common one. For the 🔗 emoji, though, you may be surprised to find out how some folks are using it. In this article, we’ll explain all the possible meanings of 🔗, plus show you how to respond when you see it. Let’s get started!

Things You Should Know

  • Most of the time, the 🔗 emoji refers to a hyperlink or URL that someone has posted on social media.
  • Sometimes, the 🔗 emoji symbolizes a strong bond between two people because of the closed, interconnected links.
  • On TikTok, 🔗 can be a reference to the slang phrase “sneaky link,” which is someone you’re secretly hooking up or having sex with.
Section 1 of 3:

🔗 (Link) Emoji Meanings & Uses

PDF download Download Article
  1. Step 1 In most cases, the 🔗 emoji symbolizes a URL hyperlink to a website.
    In today’s digital world, social media users often create posts asking their followers to “click the link in my profile” or “see more information at the link below.” Simply swap the word “link” for the 🔗 emoji—it’s pretty universally understood that you’re sending someone to a URL they may be interested in.[1]
    • “Click the 🔗 in my bio for tickets to the show!”
    • “Check out the 🔗⬇️ for more information.”
  2. Step 2 The 🔗 emoji can also represent someone’s close bond or relationship.
    The 🔗 emoji shows two interconnected, closed metal links. Sometimes, it’s used as a symbol of love and commitment between partners, or just a strong connection between friends. Throw in a 🔗 emoji when you want to illustrate how tight you are with your pals or tell your beloved you’ll always be together.[2]
    • “Those two sure have a special bond 🔗”
    • “I love you forever 💗🔗💗”
    Advertisement
  3. Step 3 Among friends, the 🔗 emoji is a way to say “let’s link up.”
    Send 🔗 to make a clever play on words and ask your friends to get together. Use this for casual hangs or light commitments (you probably don’t want to use an emoji if you’re asking someone to attend a lecture, for example).
    • “Hey! Let’s 🔗👆 for dinner tonight.”
    • “Wanna 🔗 up on Saturday? The weather’s gonna be great! ☀️”
  4. Step 4 A “sneaky link” (“sneaky 🔗”) is someone you hook up with secretly.
    This meaning mostly comes up among teens or young adults on TikTok, and the “link” part of “sneaky link” can be swapped out for the 🔗 emoji. Send this when you’re talking about someone you’re secretly hooking up or having sex with. Or, try asking someone to “be your sneaky link” to get flirty over text or DMs—just make sure no one sees your message (it’s meant to be a secret, after all!).[3]
    • “I can’t hang out tonight, I’m meeting up with my sneaky 🔗😏”
    • Them: “Who was that I saw you with last night?”
      You: “Shh! That’s my sneaky link lol”
    5. Advertisement
Section 2 of 3:

Replying to the 🔗 (Link) Emoji

PDF download Download Article
  1. Step 1 Check out the link someone is posting about if you’re interested.
    If someone’s referring to a URL on social media, you don’t have to respond to them directly. Just click on the link if you want to know more or are curious about what they’re talking about. If you want to be supportive, you can leave a positive message letting them know you engaged with their content.
    • Them: “You can buy tickets to my concert at the 🔗 in my bio!”
      You: “Thanks for posting, I just bought one!”
    • Them: “Donate at the 🔗 below to help save sea turtles!”
      You: “Just donated. Keep up the good work!”
  2. Step 2 Tell someone what they mean to you if they're talking about your bond.
    If you get a 🔗 text or DM from your partner or a good friend about your strong connection, follow up with a kind or loving note to reciprocate the feeling. Keep it short and sweet—emojis are pretty lighthearted, so a novel professing your love isn’t necessary (unless you’re really feeling it!).
    • Them: “Best friends forever! 🔗”
      You: “You bet 👯”
    • Them: “I’m so glad we bonded at that horrible job 🔗 lol”
      You: “Omg don’t even bring that place up! But I’m glad we did too 💙”
  3. Step 3 Let your friends know if you’re down to get together if they ask to 🔗 up.
    This is pretty straightforward—just let them know if you’re free or willing to meet up. If you are, ask for more details or let them know what your schedule is like to get something in the books. If you aren’t, add a brief explanation why you can’t make it (if it’s something you can share).
    • Them: “Let’s 🔗 up for lunch tomorrow!”
      You: “Sure! I’m free anytime after 11am”
    • Them: “Beach today? James and I are 🔗 up around 2”
      You: “Ugh I can’t, I have a dentist appointment. Thanks for the invite though!”
  4. Step 4 Suss out someone’s sneaky link, or let them know if you want to be theirs.
    If you’re curious about who a friend is hooking up with, playfully try to get them to reveal their secret lover (just be ready to drop it in case they really don’t want you to know). If someone asks you to be theirs, let them know whether you’re interested or not. Keep your response light and flirty to match their playful energy.
    • Them: “Don’t be jealous I’ve got a sneaky 🔗 lol”
      You: “I’m not jealous! I just wanna know who it is because I told you mine! haha”
    • Them: “Free later? I could be your sneaky 🔗😏”
      You: “Hhmmm, I could be persuaded 😉”
    5. Advertisement
Section 3 of 3:

Similar Emojis

PDF download Download Article
  1. The 🔗 emoji often gets mixed up with the ⛓️ (chains) emoji.
    It’s easy to see why—the two metal links resemble the strands of chainlinks in ⛓️, just zoomed in and tilted. [4] The ⛓️ emoji most often refers to literal metal chains, but is also occasionally used to represent a hyperlink.[5] Others emojis that sometimes get visually confused for 🔗 include:
    • The 📎 (paperclip) emoji represents office supplies, paperwork, and office jobs.
    • The 🖇️ (linked paperclips) emoji also symbolizes office work and paperwork. It can also represent partnership or love.
    • The 🧷 (safety pin) emoji represents sewing, alternations, or clothes.

Expert Q&A

Ask a Question
200 characters left
Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.
Submit
Advertisement

Tips

  • If you’re not sure what someone means when they send you the link emoji, don’t be afraid to ask! Assuming the wrong meaning can be more awkward than sending a quick clarifying text.
    Thanks
    Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
  • The link emoji is also sometimes known as chain links, links in a chain, link icon, linking symbol, chain link emoji, metal link, chain, hyperlink, website link, in link, silver chain, metallic chain, chain link, web link, url link.
    Thanks
    Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
Submit a Tip
All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published
Name
Please provide your name and last initial
Submit
Thanks for submitting a tip for review!
Advertisement

You Might Also Like

What Does Link MeanWhat Does Link Mean in Slang? Snapchat, Texting, and More
What Is a Sneaky LinkSneaky Link Relationship: What It Is & What To Do if You’re In One
What Does the Lock Emoji MeanWhat Does the 🔒 Lock Emoji Mean on Social Media?
What Does the Plug Emoji MeanWhat Does the 🔌 Plug Emoji Mean?
Broken Chain EmojiBroken Chain ⛓️‍💥 Emoji: Meaning, Design & Where to Find It
I Love You EmojiWhat Does the 🤟 (I Love You Emoji) Mean? Plus, How To Use It
Heart Hands EmojiWhat Does the Heart Hands Emoji 🫶 Mean? (With Examples)
What Does the Wink Emoji MeanWhat Does the 😉 Wink Emoji Mean?
What Does the Eye Emoji MeanWhat Does the 👀 Eyes Emoji Mean?
Hug EmojiWhat Does the 🤗 (Hugging Face) Emoji Mean?
What Does the Lips Emoji MeanWhat Does the 💋👄 Lips Emoji Mean?
What Does the Emoji with Hearts Around It MeanWhat Does the 🥰 Smiling Face with Hearts Emoji Mean?
Hand over Mouth EmojiWhat Does the 🤭 (Face with Hand over Mouth) Emoji Mean?
What Does the Octopus Emoji MeanWhat Does the 🐙 Octopus Emoji Mean?
Advertisement

References

  1. ↑ https://www.iemoji.com/view/emoji/771/objects/link
  2. ↑ https://hyemoji.com/Link
  3. ↑ https://www.bark.us/blog/sexual-slang/
  4. ↑ https://yaytext.com/emoji/link/
  5. ↑ https://emojipedia.org/chains/

About This Article

Anyah Le Gilmore-Jones
Reviewed by:
Anyah Le Gilmore-Jones
Social Media Marketing Expert
This article was reviewed by Anyah Le Gilmore-Jones and by wikiHow staff writer, Dan Hickey. Anyah Gilmore-Jones is a Social Media Marketing Expert based in Nashville, Tennessee. An innovative experiential and social media marketer, Anyah is skilled at creating engaging brand experiences and leverages her passion for connecting people and ideas to drive organic growth for purpose-driven brands. As the founder of GROW by Gilmore, a social media strategy company, Anyah develops data-driven social media strategies focused on authentic community building. She has over 4 years of experience spearheading viral campaigns and producing content for brands like HBCU Buzz, Black & Scholared, SHEIN, and Project Art Collective. She received her BA from Howard University in Political Science and Government. This article has been viewed 29,888 times.
How helpful is this?
Co-authors: 3
Updated: April 18, 2025
Views: 29,888
Categories: Emoticons and Emojis
In other languages
Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 29,888 times.

Is this article up to date?

Advertisement