Link Truth – Know Where Links Really Lead
Not every link is what it appears to be.
A link displaying a familiar website address could actually lead somewhere entirely different. Whether it's an impersonated website, a disguised destination or a misleading subdomain, visitors may not realise where they're heading until they've already clicked.
Link Truth gives your XenForo community an additional layer of protection by automatically identifying misleading link destinations and warning visitors before they follow them.
Designed to be lightweight, straightforward and easy to manage, Link Truth integrates directly with XenForo without requiring external services, API keys or additional subscriptions.
Spot Misleading Links Instantly
Link Truth automatically examines supported links within forum posts, comparing the website address displayed to visitors against the link's actual destination.When a mismatch is detected, a distinctive warning badge appears alongside the affected link, immediately drawing attention to the discrepancy.
Members can hover over the badge to see where the link claims to lead and where it actually goes.
The warning appears directly within the discussion, helping visitors recognise potentially misleading links without interrupting normal browsing.
Know the Destination Before You Click
A misleading link doesn't have to catch your members off guard.When someone clicks a link with a detected destination mismatch, Link Truth can display a confirmation window explaining the discrepancy before the browser follows the link.
The warning includes:
- Claimed destination: The website address displayed within the forum post.
- Actual destination: The website the link really points towards.
- Visitor confirmation: The choice to cancel or continue to the destination.
Rather than silently redirecting visitors, Link Truth gives them the opportunity to make an informed decision.
The confirmation window uses XenForo's native overlay system, allowing it to inherit the appearance of the active forum style.
Powerful Features Without Complicated Configuration
Link Truth provides a focused set of features designed to make misleading links easier to recognise while keeping administration simple.- Automatic Link Detection
Compares displayed website addresses with their actual destinations and identifies mismatches. - Visible Warning Badges
Displays distinctive inline indicators beside links with detected destination discrepancies. - Click Confirmation
Optionally presents a confirmation window before a visitor follows a mismatched link. - Destination Information
Shows both the claimed website and actual destination, helping visitors understand why a link has been flagged. - Internal Link Exclusions
Allows links pointing to your own forum to be treated as safe. - Subdomain Matching Controls
Choose whether related subdomains should be considered matching destinations or checked more strictly. - Trusted Domains
Configure domain exclusions for websites you explicitly trust. - Independent Feature Controls
Enable or disable the main detection and warning features individually through the Admin Control Panel. - Dynamic Content Support
Supports the checking of links introduced or updated after the initial page load. - Native XenForo Integration
Uses XenForo's existing overlay system for a consistent experience across forum styles.
You're in Control
Not every community handles external links in the same way.Link Truth includes a dedicated configuration page within the XenForo Admin Control Panel, allowing administrators to adjust its behaviour without modifying templates or editing source code.
Want to display warning badges but disable confirmation windows? You can.
Prefer stricter subdomain checks? That's configurable too.
Need to exempt specific trusted domains or internal forum links? Those controls are also available.
The result is a flexible system that can be tailored to suit your community rather than forcing everyone to use the same configuration.
See Link Truth in Action
Link Truth is particularly useful when a link's displayed text resembles a legitimate website but the underlying destination points elsewhere.For example, a forum post might display:
Pay, Send and Save Money with PayPal | PayPal UK
From paying friends to saving money or getting rewards when you shop, explore what the new PayPal app has to offer.
paypal.com
But the actual hyperlink could direct visitors to:
Without inspecting the underlying URL, visitors might assume they're following the familiar address.
Link Truth identifies this kind of discrepancy and can provide a visible warning before the visitor proceeds.
The add-on also supports configurable handling of subdomains, allowing administrators to determine whether related hosts should be considered equivalent.
Lightweight, Seamless and Built for XenForo
Link Truth is designed to complement the XenForo experience rather than replace or complicate it.- No external scanning service required.
- No third-party API keys.
- No additional subscription services.
- No browser extensions required for visitors.
- Straightforward ACP configuration.
- Automatic operation once installed and configured.
There's no need for members to change how they browse discussions. The add-on works within the supported forum content, providing additional information when a link's displayed website and actual destination disagree.
Give Your Members a Reason to Think Before They Click
A misleading link only needs to look convincing long enough for someone to follow it.Link Truth helps expose those misleading destinations before visitors leave your forum, giving your community greater awareness and control over the links they follow.
For a small one-time purchase, Link Truth provides a practical security-awareness feature that can benefit communities of all sizes.
Compatible with XenForo 2.3.
Link Truth detects discrepancies between displayed website addresses and actual link destinations. It is not an antivirus, malware scanner, phishing reputation database or guarantee that a destination is safe.