How to Add a Link to a TikTok Video After Posting

You’ve just published what you’re sure is your C.S. Lewis of TikToks - a masterpiece of narrative, timing, and engagement - but you made one tiny, critical mistake: you forgot to add the link. It’s a frustrating moment every creator or social media manager knows well. This guide will walk you through exactly what you can do about a missing link after your video goes live, the strategic workarounds that actually work, and how to set up a workflow that prevents this from ever happening again.

The Hard Truth: Can You Directly Edit a TikTok Video After Posting?

Let's get this out of the way first: no, you unfortunately cannot edit a TikTok video's caption, sound, or the video content after it has been published. Once a video is live, its core components are locked in. From TikTok's perspective, this makes sense. The algorithm begins analyzing the video, audio, and text immediately to decide who to show it to. Allowing changes would complicate this process and could be manipulated.

So, while you can't hit an "edit" button on your original masterpiece, you aren't completely out of luck. The solution isn't to edit the original post, but to creatively and strategically guide your audience to the link they need. Think of it less as a correction and more as a new opportunity for engagement. The following methods are your go-to playbook for this exact scenario.

Strategic Workarounds: How to Add a Link After Posting Your TikTok

Since a direct edit is off the table, we have to use the tools available to us to redirect viewers' attention. These methods are used by top brands and creators because they work without sacrificing the momentum of a well-performing video.

Method 1: The 'Link in Bio' Power Play

The "link in bio" is the single most powerful asset for driving traffic off of TikTok. Your bio is your central hub, and it’s fully editable at any time. This strategy revolves around turning your mistake into a reason for viewers to visit your profile, a high-intent action that TikTok's algorithm smiles upon. The goal is to make the journey from your video to your link as seamless as possible.

Step 1: Update Your Profile Bio with the Correct Link

Before you do anything else, make sure the link you want to share is actually in your bio. To add or update your clickable website link, navigate to your profile and follow these steps:

• Tap the "Edit profile" button below your follower count.
• Look for the "Website" field. Paste your desired URL here.
• Tap "Save" in the top right corner.

A quick note: To have a clickable website field, you typically need a TikTok Business Account. It's free and easy to switch to (Go to Settings > Account > Switch to Business Account). While some creator accounts now have this feature, switching to a Business Account also gives you access to better analytics and other marketing tools.

Step 2: Guide Viewers to Your Bio Using Comments

The comments section is now your main stage. Since your video's caption mentioned a link that isn't there, you need to use the comments to correct the record and provide clear instructions. This is where you'll post a comment from your own account and, most importantly, pin it.

A pinned comment stays at the very top of the comment section, ensuring it’s the first thing most people see when they engage. Here’s how to do it:

• Go to your video and open the comments section.
• Write a new comment. Be friendly and direct. For example: "Well, this is awkward! We were so excited to share this that we forgot the most important part. The [product name/free download/article] is available at the LINK IN our BIO!" or simply, "You’ll find everything you need at the link in our bio!"
• Once your comment is posted, tap and hold on it.
• Select "Pin comment" from the menu that appears.

This simple action turns a mistake into clear direction. You acknowledge the error, provide the solution, and guide traffic where it needs to go.

Step 3: Respond to Existing Comments

If your video has already gained some traction and people are asking where the link is, treat each question as a C-Suite level customer service opportunity. Don't just like their comment, reply directly and politely guide them to your bio. A good reply is concise and helpful: "Great question! We've just updated our bio with the direct link. Take a look!" This public display of responsiveness shows you're engaged with your community.

Method 2: Use the Comments Section Directly (With a Caveat)

If pointing to your bio feels like too many steps, you could post the raw URL in a pinned comment. However, this method comes with a major downside: links in TikTok comments are not clickable.

A user would have to manually highlight, copy, open their browser, and paste the URL. This adds significant friction and will cause a massive drop-off in conversions. This technique is only really viable for:

• Extremely simple or memorable links: like yourbrand.com.
• Directing users to other social profiles: like "@yourbrand on Instagram."

In most cases, the 'link in bio' method is far superior because it provides a single, simple tap for the user. We recommend sticking with that approach for driving traffic to landing pages, products, or articles.

Method 3: Create a Quick Follow-Up Video or Story

If your video is truly taking off and gaining momentum, you can capitalize on its popularity with a follow-up post. This shows the algorithm that you're active and amplifies your message.

Option A: Post a TikTok Story

A TikTok Story is a short-form, temporary post that's perfect for quick updates. You can take a screenshot of your successful video's comment section, circle a few questions asking for the link, and post it to your Story. Use the built-in "Link" sticker to add a fully clickable link directly in the story. Add some text like, "For everyone asking about the link in our last video... here it is!" Stories only last 24 hours, but they're great for reaching your most engaged followers immediately.

Option B: Use the Stitch or Reply with Video Feature

Take things a step further by creating a new video that directly references the first one. Using the "Stitch" feature, you can add a short clip of yourself to the beginning of your original video. Record a new intro: "Hey everyone! The response to this has been amazing! Quick note: the link I mentioned is now in our bio. Go check it out before moving on to the full video!"

Alternatively, find a comment asking for the link and use the "Reply with video" feature. This creates a new video that visually includes the commenter's question, making them feel seen while you provide the answer to your wider audience.

Method 4: The "Delete and Re-upload" Last Resort

Every creator has considered it: "Should I just delete the video and repost it with the caption fixed?" The short answer is: probably not. Here’s a breakdown of when it's okay versus when it's a terrible idea.

When to Consider Deleting:

• If the video was posted just a few moments ago and has under 50 views and zero meaningful engagement. In this case, the algorithmic damage is minimal.
• If the entire point of the video is nullified without the link (e.g., a flash sale ending in one hour).

When NOT to Delete:

• If the video has any kind of traction at all - likes, saves, comments, or a moderate number of views. Deleting it throws away all that momentum and social proof. There's no guarantee the algorithm will pick it up the same way a second time.
• If you do it often. TikTok’s algorithm penalizes accounts that repeatedly upload and delete content, as it can be a sign of bot farming or other inauthentic activity. You risk having your content suppressed if you make this a habit.

The "delete and re-upload" strategy should be reserved for true emergencies. The other workarounds are almost always better options.

Proactive >, Reactive: Best Practices for Including Links Going Forward

The best way to fix a problem is to prevent it from happening in the first place. Integrating a few simple steps into your content creation workflow can save you from future headaches and ensure every post is optimized for conversion from the moment you hit "publish."

Optimize Your "Link in Bio" Strategy with a Landing Page

Instead of constantly changing the single link in your bio for every product or piece of content, use a mobile-first link-in-bio landing page. Services like Linktree, Beacons, or simply a dedicated page on your own website, allow you to house multiple links under one master URL. This way, your bio link ("ourbrand.com/links") remains the same while you update the link destinations on your new, central landing page. Then, in your videos, your call-to-action is always consistent: "Check the link in our bio for all our latest!"

Develop a Pre-Publishing Checklist

Before any video goes live, run it through a quick, simple checklist. This habit takes less than 30 seconds but can save you from massive regrets. Your list could look something like this:

• Video Content: Does the video visually or verbally reference the CTA? Is there a text overlay pointing to the bio?
• Caption: Is the call-to-action clear and compelling? Does it accurately tell people what they'll find at the link?
• Link in Bio: Did I double-check that the correct, corresponding link is already live in my bio? (This is the most common mistake - having a well-structured caption that points to a non-existent or incorrect landing page).
• Spelling &, Grammar: Did I give the caption one last read-through for typos?

A checklist turns a haphazard process into a professional one. It's the difference between hoping for the best and ensuring success.

Final Thoughts

Forgetting to add a link to a TikTok video after posting isn’t the end of the world. While you can't go back and edit the original caption, you can leverage pinned comments and follow-up content to effectively steer your audience to your link in bio. The most reliable solution is to pivot gracefully, guide with clarity, and turn the mistake into another conversation piece.

Putting these forward-thinking strategies into practice starts with having an organized content calendar. Here at Postbase, we built our visual planner and scheduler specifically to prevent these kinds of pre-flight errors. By planning our TikToks, captions, and links all in one place, we can review the entire campaign before it goes live, ensuring the right message and the right links are always perfectly aligned. This streamlines the chaos of community management on multiple social media platforms and keeps our company focused on creative, engaging storytelling instead.