What is a URL property in Notion?

A URL property in Notion is a specialized database field that stores web links and transforms them into clickable, interactive elements within your workspace. According to Notion's documentation, this property "accepts a link to a website and opens the link in a new tab when clicked," making it far more functional than simply pasting URLs into text fields. When you add a URL to this property, Notion automatically displays a small favicon and domain name for quick visual identification, creating an organized and professional appearance for your external references.

Creating a URL property is straightforward and opens up powerful organizational possibilities. Simply click "Add a property" in your database, select "URL" from the options, and give it a descriptive name like "Resource Link" or "Documentation." Once configured, you can paste any web address starting with http:// or https:// into the field. The real magic happens when you click the link icon—it instantly opens the target page in a new browser tab, streamlining your workflow and keeping your current Notion page intact.

The practical applications are extensive and particularly valuable for knowledge workers. You might use URL properties to link LinkedIn profiles in employee databases, attach documentation to project entries, or connect published articles in content calendars. The property integrates seamlessly with Notion's database functions, allowing you to filter, sort, and even use URLs in formulas or rollup calculations to track how many items have associated links.

However, it's important to understand the limitations before fully committing to URL properties in your workflow. While Notion validates that your input follows proper URL formatting, it doesn't verify whether links are active or still functional. Broken or outdated URLs won't be flagged, and clicking them may result in browser errors. Additionally, unlike embed blocks, URL properties don't provide rich previews of the linked content—you'll only see the favicon and domain name.

The URL property strikes an excellent balance between functionality and simplicity, making it an essential tool for anyone managing web-based resources in Notion. While it won't replace more robust link management systems for complex projects, it provides the perfect solution for quick access to external content while maintaining the organized structure that makes Notion databases so powerful. For most users, the convenience of instant, organized access to web resources far outweighs the minor limitation of not catching broken links.