Sharing links<\/h2>\n\n\n\n\nIn this section, we will explain how to clean up links by removing tracking elements from them. We will cover a few popular platforms, but please keep in mind that we cannot address every one of them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
When you want to share a link from a platform such as Facebook, Youtube, Tiktok or Instagram there is pretty much always information in the link that contains certain tracking elements.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For most platforms it is really easy to clean up the link, but for certain platforms it can be a bit harder, like for Tiktok. We cannot stress the importance of doing this enough, sharing a link without cleaning it first can cause you to be identified. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\nFacebook <\/strong>![\"\"](\"https:\/\/tribeandtrain.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Facebook.png\")
<\/h2>\n\n\n\n\nFacebook employs several techniques to include tracking elements in their links. As a general rule, you should paste the link from a Facebook post into an incognito browser tab and revisit the post. The link displayed in your browser tab will now be anonymized.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
However, keep in mind that Facebook may change their methods, so this approach may not always be reliable.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\nYoutube <\/strong>![\"\"](\"https:\/\/tribeandtrain.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Youtube-1.png\")
<\/h2>\n\n\n\n\nWhen sharing a Youtube link there is often the element “?si=<\/code>” in the link.<\/p>\n\n\n\nFor example, you might have the link youtube.com\/watch?v=ABCD1234?si=fiSciAS45<\/code>. Remove the “?si=<\/code>” part and everything that follows it, so the link becomes youtube.com\/watch?v=ABCD1234<\/code>. This process helps you anonymize the link. The same applies when sharing YouTube channel links.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\nTiktok <\/strong>![\"\"](\"https:\/\/tribeandtrain.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/tiktok.png\")
<\/h2>\n\n\n\n\nThe general structure of a TikTok video link is tiktok.com\/@username\/video\/1234567891234567<\/code>. If there are any elements after the series of numbers, remove them.<\/p>\n\n\n\nImportant!
If the TikTok link appears as vm.tiktok.com\/ABCD12ab123<\/code>, copy this link and paste it into an incognito browser tab to convert it to the format tiktok.com\/@username\/video\/1234567891234567<\/code>. Remember to delete anything that comes after the series of numbers.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\nInstagram ![\"\"](\"https:\/\/tribeandtrain.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Instagram-scaled.png\")
<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n\nInstagram often includes the element \"?igsh=\"<\/code> for tracking purposes. Remove this element and everything that follows it.<\/p>\n\n\n\nAdditionally, elements such as “utm_source=<\/code>” may also appear in the link. Be sure to delete these as well.<\/p>\n\n\n\nFor example, if you want to share an Instagram story, you might copy a link like this: instagram.com\/stories\/username\/12345678912345?utm_source=XXXXXXX&igsh=123456ABCD<\/code>. After removing the tracking elements, the link should look like this: instagram.com\/stories\/username\/12345678912345<\/code>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\nDeleting EXIF data<\/h2>\n\n\n\n\nWhen sharing images, there may be hidden data embedded within the picture that can contain information potentially leading to the identification of the person who made the picture. This data, often referred to as EXIF metadata, can include details such as the camera settings, date, location, and even the device used to capture the image. To protect your identity, it’s highly advisable to remove this metadata before sharing images publicly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Fortunately, many platforms automatically delete EXIF data when uploading pictures, but they may retain this data for their own use. Therefore, it is crucial to always remove any EXIF data from your images before sharing them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For Android you can use ExifEraser<\/a>. On Windows you can go to the properties of the file, go to details and click on “Remove Properties and Personal Information.” and then select “Create a Copy With All Possible Properties Removed.”, so now you have a cleaned copy of the picture.<\/p>\n\n\n\nOn IPhone we recommend to follow this<\/a> tutorial. If you find it too difficult to get this to work you should at least disable GPS information from the camera app. To do that, launch Settings > Privacy & Security > Location Services > Camera and select “Never.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In this section, we will explain how to clean up links by removing tracking elements from them. We will cover a few popular platforms, but please keep in mind that we cannot address every one of them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
When you want to share a link from a platform such as Facebook, Youtube, Tiktok or Instagram there is pretty much always information in the link that contains certain tracking elements.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For most platforms it is really easy to clean up the link, but for certain platforms it can be a bit harder, like for Tiktok. We cannot stress the importance of doing this enough, sharing a link without cleaning it first can cause you to be identified. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
Facebook <\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n\nFacebook employs several techniques to include tracking elements in their links. As a general rule, you should paste the link from a Facebook post into an incognito browser tab and revisit the post. The link displayed in your browser tab will now be anonymized.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
However, keep in mind that Facebook may change their methods, so this approach may not always be reliable.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\nYoutube <\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n\nWhen sharing a Youtube link there is often the element “?si=<\/code>” in the link.<\/p>\n\n\n\nFor example, you might have the link youtube.com\/watch?v=ABCD1234?si=fiSciAS45<\/code>. Remove the “?si=<\/code>” part and everything that follows it, so the link becomes youtube.com\/watch?v=ABCD1234<\/code>. This process helps you anonymize the link. The same applies when sharing YouTube channel links.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\nTiktok <\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n\nThe general structure of a TikTok video link is tiktok.com\/@username\/video\/1234567891234567<\/code>. If there are any elements after the series of numbers, remove them.<\/p>\n\n\n\nImportant!
If the TikTok link appears as vm.tiktok.com\/ABCD12ab123<\/code>, copy this link and paste it into an incognito browser tab to convert it to the format tiktok.com\/@username\/video\/1234567891234567<\/code>. Remember to delete anything that comes after the series of numbers.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\nInstagram <\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n\nInstagram often includes the element \"?igsh=\"<\/code> for tracking purposes. Remove this element and everything that follows it.<\/p>\n\n\n\nAdditionally, elements such as “utm_source=<\/code>” may also appear in the link. Be sure to delete these as well.<\/p>\n\n\n\nFor example, if you want to share an Instagram story, you might copy a link like this: instagram.com\/stories\/username\/12345678912345?utm_source=XXXXXXX&igsh=123456ABCD<\/code>. After removing the tracking elements, the link should look like this: instagram.com\/stories\/username\/12345678912345<\/code>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\nDeleting EXIF data<\/h2>\n\n\n\n\nWhen sharing images, there may be hidden data embedded within the picture that can contain information potentially leading to the identification of the person who made the picture. This data, often referred to as EXIF metadata, can include details such as the camera settings, date, location, and even the device used to capture the image. To protect your identity, it’s highly advisable to remove this metadata before sharing images publicly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Fortunately, many platforms automatically delete EXIF data when uploading pictures, but they may retain this data for their own use. Therefore, it is crucial to always remove any EXIF data from your images before sharing them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For Android you can use ExifEraser<\/a>. On Windows you can go to the properties of the file, go to details and click on “Remove Properties and Personal Information.” and then select “Create a Copy With All Possible Properties Removed.”, so now you have a cleaned copy of the picture.<\/p>\n\n\n\nOn IPhone we recommend to follow this<\/a> tutorial. If you find it too difficult to get this to work you should at least disable GPS information from the camera app. To do that, launch Settings > Privacy & Security > Location Services > Camera and select “Never.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Facebook employs several techniques to include tracking elements in their links. As a general rule, you should paste the link from a Facebook post into an incognito browser tab and revisit the post. The link displayed in your browser tab will now be anonymized.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
However, keep in mind that Facebook may change their methods, so this approach may not always be reliable.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
Youtube <\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n\nWhen sharing a Youtube link there is often the element “?si=<\/code>” in the link.<\/p>\n\n\n\nFor example, you might have the link youtube.com\/watch?v=ABCD1234?si=fiSciAS45<\/code>. Remove the “?si=<\/code>” part and everything that follows it, so the link becomes youtube.com\/watch?v=ABCD1234<\/code>. This process helps you anonymize the link. The same applies when sharing YouTube channel links.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\nTiktok <\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n\nThe general structure of a TikTok video link is tiktok.com\/@username\/video\/1234567891234567<\/code>. If there are any elements after the series of numbers, remove them.<\/p>\n\n\n\nImportant!
If the TikTok link appears as vm.tiktok.com\/ABCD12ab123<\/code>, copy this link and paste it into an incognito browser tab to convert it to the format tiktok.com\/@username\/video\/1234567891234567<\/code>. Remember to delete anything that comes after the series of numbers.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\nInstagram <\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n\nInstagram often includes the element \"?igsh=\"<\/code> for tracking purposes. Remove this element and everything that follows it.<\/p>\n\n\n\nAdditionally, elements such as “utm_source=<\/code>” may also appear in the link. Be sure to delete these as well.<\/p>\n\n\n\nFor example, if you want to share an Instagram story, you might copy a link like this: instagram.com\/stories\/username\/12345678912345?utm_source=XXXXXXX&igsh=123456ABCD<\/code>. After removing the tracking elements, the link should look like this: instagram.com\/stories\/username\/12345678912345<\/code>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\nDeleting EXIF data<\/h2>\n\n\n\n\nWhen sharing images, there may be hidden data embedded within the picture that can contain information potentially leading to the identification of the person who made the picture. This data, often referred to as EXIF metadata, can include details such as the camera settings, date, location, and even the device used to capture the image. To protect your identity, it’s highly advisable to remove this metadata before sharing images publicly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Fortunately, many platforms automatically delete EXIF data when uploading pictures, but they may retain this data for their own use. Therefore, it is crucial to always remove any EXIF data from your images before sharing them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For Android you can use ExifEraser<\/a>. On Windows you can go to the properties of the file, go to details and click on “Remove Properties and Personal Information.” and then select “Create a Copy With All Possible Properties Removed.”, so now you have a cleaned copy of the picture.<\/p>\n\n\n\nOn IPhone we recommend to follow this<\/a> tutorial. If you find it too difficult to get this to work you should at least disable GPS information from the camera app. To do that, launch Settings > Privacy & Security > Location Services > Camera and select “Never.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
When sharing a Youtube link there is often the element “ For example, you might have the link The general structure of a TikTok video link is Important! Instagram often includes the element Additionally, elements such as “ For example, if you want to share an Instagram story, you might copy a link like this: When sharing images, there may be hidden data embedded within the picture that can contain information potentially leading to the identification of the person who made the picture. This data, often referred to as EXIF metadata, can include details such as the camera settings, date, location, and even the device used to capture the image. To protect your identity, it’s highly advisable to remove this metadata before sharing images publicly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Fortunately, many platforms automatically delete EXIF data when uploading pictures, but they may retain this data for their own use. Therefore, it is crucial to always remove any EXIF data from your images before sharing them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n For Android you can use ExifEraser<\/a>. On Windows you can go to the properties of the file, go to details and click on “Remove Properties and Personal Information.” and then select “Create a Copy With All Possible Properties Removed.”, so now you have a cleaned copy of the picture.<\/p>\n\n\n\n On IPhone we recommend to follow this<\/a> tutorial. If you find it too difficult to get this to work you should at least disable GPS information from the camera app. To do that, launch Settings > Privacy & Security > Location Services > Camera and select “Never.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n?si=<\/code>” in the link.<\/p>\n\n\n\nyoutube.com\/watch?v=ABCD1234?si=fiSciAS45<\/code>. Remove the “?si=<\/code>” part and everything that follows it, so the link becomes youtube.com\/watch?v=ABCD1234<\/code>. This process helps you anonymize the link. The same applies when sharing YouTube channel links.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\nTiktok <\/strong>
<\/h2>\n\n\n\ntiktok.com\/@username\/video\/1234567891234567<\/code>. If there are any elements after the series of numbers, remove them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If the TikTok link appears as vm.tiktok.com\/ABCD12ab123<\/code>, copy this link and paste it into an incognito browser tab to convert it to the format tiktok.com\/@username\/video\/1234567891234567<\/code>. Remember to delete anything that comes after the series of numbers.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\nInstagram
<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n\"?igsh=\"<\/code> for tracking purposes. Remove this element and everything that follows it.<\/p>\n\n\n\nutm_source=<\/code>” may also appear in the link. Be sure to delete these as well.<\/p>\n\n\n\ninstagram.com\/stories\/username\/12345678912345?utm_source=XXXXXXX&igsh=123456ABCD<\/code>. After removing the tracking elements, the link should look like this: instagram.com\/stories\/username\/12345678912345<\/code>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\nDeleting EXIF data<\/h2>\n\n\n\n