Limitations & platforms

Why some links embed and some don’t?

Whether a link works inside an embed depends on the platform that hosts the content. Some platforms allow their pages to be shown inside other sites (embeds). Others block this on purpose for security, privacy, or product reasons.

We can only show content that the original platform allows to be embedded. If a platform blocks embedding, we can’t safely override that.

What you can try

• Use the platform’s Embed option if it has one.
• Prefer embed codes or “embed links” over a normal Share URL when the platform offers both.
• If a platform blocks embedding, we can’t make it work - you’ll need to link out to the content instead.

Below are notes for specific platforms: what we do when we detect them, and what you should do when they don’t allow normal embeds.

- Google Drive

Google decides whether a file is allowed to be shown inside another website. Even if the link works when you open it normally, Google may block it from loading inside an embed unless it’s shared the right way.

1. Make sure sharing is set to allow viewing
   • In Google Drive, set the file to: "Anyone with the link can view" or share it directly with the people who need access.
   • If it’s restricted, the embed will show an "access denied / request access" message or appear blank.
2. If it still won’t embed, use "Publish to the web" (Docs/Sheets/Slides)

   For some Google Docs, Sheets, or Slides, Google may only embed reliably if the owner uses Google’s "Publish to the web" option. This creates a special version meant for embedding.

   Important: Publishing to the web can make the content more public than regular link-sharing, so only do it if you’re comfortable with that.

What we do automatically

When you paste a normal Google link, we automatically convert it into Google’s "embed version" behind the scenes. You usually don’t need to change anything in the URL yourself.

- Dropbox

A typical Dropbox share link is meant for opening a file or folder in the browser, not necessarily for embedding. By default, that kind of link doesn’t always display correctly inside an embed.

When you paste a Dropbox link into linkembed, we automatically adjust it so it works better inside embeds. For files and folders we use Dropbox’s own embed preview where possible. For supported video and audio files we use a format that plays directly in the embed.

Limitations: Password-protected links, strict permissions, or team settings can still block embedding. If a Dropbox link doesn’t load, check that the link is shared so "anyone with the link" can view it (and that your organization allows embedding if applicable).

- Untitled.stream

Regular Untitled.stream share links are not designed to be embedded. Untitled.stream blocks embedding for normal share URLs, so pasting those into linkembed usually won’t show the content.

Untitled.stream provides a dedicated embed option that does work. Use that instead of the normal share URL.

What to do:

1. Open your project in Untitled.stream.
2. Choose the Embed option (or get the embed code).
3. Copy the embed code they give you.
4. Paste that embed code into linkembed - not the normal share URL.

- Notion

Notion is completely unsupported for embedding. Notion pages cannot be embedded natively inside other sites. This is a restriction on Notion’s side - they do not allow their content to be shown in iframes or embed contexts, and is not something we can change from our end.

Workaround: If you want to point users to a Notion page, create a redirect link instead of an embed link. Your link will automatically redirect to the Notion page when clicked, which works reliably.

- pCloud

pCloud PDF links can be embedded, but the PDF preview often won’t show inside the embed. This is due to how pCloud serves and frames the PDF viewer - not something we can change from our side.

Downloading still works. Your visitors will see the pCloud page (header, download button, etc.) and can download the PDF without any problem. Only the on-page PDF viewer may appear blank or blocked in some browsers when the link is embedded.

If viewers need to read the PDF in the browser, they can use the download button or open the link in a new tab for the full preview.