What is a payment link?¶

A payment link is a web address that opens a request or checkout process. It can route through several services and does not by itself prove creator, recipient or completed payment.

The address carries or locates a request¶

A merchant, marketplace, provider or individual may generate the link with a request ID, recipient, amount, currency, order reference or expiry. Displayed message text can differ from the underlying URL, and redirects can end at another provider.

Opening may create access records, reveal the examining endpoint or change a single-use request. Preserve the original message and URL before controlled examination where possible.

Resolve the request and transaction¶

Record sender, surrounding instructions and time, and retain the full URL or native message export rather than only a screenshot. Provider records can identify the generating account, embedded details, status and linked payment.

A genuine link can still support deception. Distinguish link, destination service, request, recipient account and actual value movement.