# URL Link

> URL Link is a small Firefox and Thunderbird extension that allows you to select a non-URL in a mail/news message or web-page, and open it in a browser window.

Canonical page: [https://chrome-stats.com/d/url-link](https://chrome-stats.com/d/url-link)

## Overview

- **ID:** `url-link`
- **Platform:** Firefox
- **Type:** Firefox add-on
- **Status:** Available
- **Publisher:** Neil Bird
- **Category:** other
- **Daily users:** 974
- **Weekly downloads:** 3
- **Rating:** 4.22 / 5 (18 ratings)
- **Version:** 3.6
- **Last updated:** 2022-06-17
- **First published:** 2004-12-03
- **Size:** 120 KB
- **Data as of:** 2026-09-13
- **Store listing:** [Firefox Add-ons Store](https://addons.mozilla.org/firefox/addon/url-link/)
- **Website:** [https://codeberg.org/fnxweb/urllink](https://codeberg.org/fnxweb/urllink)

## Description

URL Link is a handy Firefox extension that transforms plain text selections that aren't valid URLs into clickable links you can open directly in the browser. It supports selecting text in emails or web pages, repairing broken email links, handling mailto: and JavaScript links, and even allows custom search and replace rules through its preferences dialog. Users can customize the sub-menu that converts text into URLs, add nicknames for easier identification, and control how links open (in new tabs, windows, or private windows). While it supports Firefox fully, Thunderbird users need a separate compatible version. Note that Firefox restricts add-ons from accessing file:/// URLs directly; URL Link provides a clipboard-based workaround to handle such cases for local file links. Whether you're browsing or reading emails containing tricky or broken links, URL Link streamlines opening those links hassle-free.

## Rankings

- #3,398 — Overall
- #45 — links
- #46 — broken links
- #88 — line
- #210 — linkedin
- #213 — direct link

## Permissions and access

### Permissions

- `clipboardWrite`
- `menus`
- `storage`
- `tabs`

## Safety

- **Risk impact:** Moderate risk impact
- **Risk likelihood:** Low risk likelihood

### Analysis details

- Grants access to browser tabs, which can be used to track user browsing habits and history, presenting a privacy concern.
- This extension has low user count. Unpopular extensions may not be stable or safe.

> Some risk analysis details are omitted from this free response. [Upgrade to view the full analysis](https://chrome-stats.com/pricing).

## Review summary

Users praise URL Link for enabling quick searching of selected text and appreciate the developer's efforts in maintaining it. However, multiple reviews mention the complicated menu structure with too many submenus, making usage cumbersome. Selection handling can produce incorrect links if text includes multiple links or extra characters. There's a desire for better customization options and default behaviors, such as opening links in new tabs. Overall, it is considered a useful tool but with room for UI and functionality improvements.

### Pros

- Enables opening of selected text as a URL link in various applications, enhancing browsing and email handling (notably in Thunderbird).
- Offers good options and flexibility in searching selected text using web-apps.
- The developer is responsive and hardworking, maintaining compatibility with Firefox updates.
- Users appreciate the security aspect of the add-on.
- It facilitates easy access to search functions, making it a valuable tool for quick lookups.

### Cons

- The menu system is overly complex with too many submenus, requiring multiple clicks to access common actions.
- Does not process selections correctly when multiple links or surrounding text is selected, causing malformed links.
- Lacks preference editing capabilities, limiting customization by users.
- Some users wish the add-on would open links in new tabs by default rather than replacing the current tab.
- Initial versions had issues with not appearing in context menus or lacking shortcuts.

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Source: [Chrome-Stats](https://chrome-stats.com/d/url-link)