Troubleshooting

My Smart Link Will Not Open

Updated 2026-06-14
The short answer
If a smart link will not open, confirm it is set to Published rather than Draft, and that the slug or custom domain in the URL is correct. In-app browsers like Instagram, TikTok, and Snapchat are detected and open the destination in the same tab.

What to check

  1. Confirm it is Published
    Open the editor and look at the publish control on the Settings tab. It is a toggle that reads Draft when off and Published when on. Switch it to Published if it is still set to Draft.
  2. Check the slug or custom domain
    The public address is vlvtn.link followed by your slug, or your configured custom domain. Confirm the slug or custom domain in the URL is correct.
  3. Account for in-app browsers
    In-app browsers such as Instagram, TikTok, and Snapchat are detected and open the destination in the same tab. If you are testing inside one of those apps, that same-tab behavior is expected.

Frequently asked

How do I confirm the link is published?

Open the editor and check the publish control on the Settings tab. It is a toggle that reads Draft when off and Published when on. A link still set to Draft will not be live at its public address.

What is the public address of my link?

It is vlvtn.link followed by your slug, or your configured custom domain. If the page will not open, check that the slug or custom domain in the URL is spelled correctly.

Why does the link open inside Instagram or TikTok instead of my browser?

In-app browsers like Instagram, TikTok, and Snapchat are detected, and the destination is opened in the same tab. This is by design so the redirect works inside those apps.

I just published and it still will not open. What now?

Double-check the slug or custom domain in the address, then reload. If you are sharing a custom domain that will not resolve, see Domain verification troubleshooting in the custom domains cluster.