# External Link Approval Flow in Social Planner > Approval flow via external link in social planner - Source: https://docs.ghlcustomercare.com/docs/marketing/social-planner/external-link-approval-flow-in-social-planner - Section: Marketing / Social Planner - Reading time: 2 min - Images: 9, each explained below --- **TABLE OF CONTENTS** - [Overview](#overview) - [What You Can Do with This Feature](#what-you-can-do-with-this-feature) - [Step 1: Generate an Approval Link](#step-1-generate-an-approval-link) - [Step 2: Share the Link](#step-2-share-the-link) - [Step 3: Approver Reviews the Post](#step-3-approver-reviews-the-post) - [Step 4: Approver Takes Action](#step-4-approver-takes-action) - [Step 5: View Approval Status & Notes](#step-5-view-approval-status-and-notes) - [Managing Approval Links](#managing-approval-links) - [Steps:](#steps) - [Available Actions:](#available-actions) - [Link Expiry & Recovery](#link-expiry-and-recovery) - [Important Notes](#important-notes) - [Best Practices](#best-practices) ## Overview External Approval Flow allows you to **share social media posts with clients or stakeholders for approval using a secure link (Magic Link)** without requiring them to log in. This helps you streamline approvals, reduce back-and-forth, and manage collaboration directly inside Social Planner. --- ## What You Can Do with This Feature - Share posts using a **secure approval link** - Allow external users to **approve, reject, or reschedule posts** - Add and view **approval notes** - Track all approval links in one place - Manage approvals without adding users to your account --- ## Step 1: Generate an Approval Link 1. Go to **Marketing → Social Planner** 2. Select an **Approver** from the dropdown ![Step 1: Generate an Approval Link (image 1 of 9)](https://s3.amazonaws.com/cdn.freshdesk.com/data/helpdesk/attachments/production/155068661941/original/TUog4KktB6tYCz4hz-rfg6FwXLL5uXFzIg.png) **Step 1: Generate an Approval Link (image 1 of 9)** This screenshot appears in the "Step 1: Generate an Approval Link" section of "External Link Approval Flow in Social Planner". The text alongside this image reads: Go to Marketing → Social Planner Select an Approver from the dropdown. This part of the guide covers 1 field, listed below. Immediately after, the guide continues: 3. Click Generate Approval Link. - Where to go: Go to Marketing → Social Planner Select an Approver from the dropdown - Fields: Auto-generate OR - Controls: Marketing → Social Planner, Approver, Generate Approval Link - Next: 3. Click Generate Approval Link Full procedure: 1. Go to Marketing → Social Planner 2. Select an Approver from the dropdown ![Step 1: Generate an Approval Link (image 2 of 9)](https://s3.amazonaws.com/cdn.freshdesk.com/data/helpdesk/attachments/production/155068661875/original/SrQMryVn78NLl_xb_kjAxQfDogOvEwYuiQ.png) **Step 1: Generate an Approval Link (image 2 of 9)** This screenshot appears in the "Step 1: Generate an Approval Link" section of "External Link Approval Flow in Social Planner". The text alongside this image reads: Go to Marketing → Social Planner Select an Approver from the dropdown. This part of the guide covers 1 field, listed below. Immediately after, the guide continues: 3. Click Generate Approval Link. - Where to go: Go to Marketing → Social Planner Select an Approver from the dropdown - Fields: Auto-generate OR - Controls: Marketing → Social Planner, Approver, Generate Approval Link - Next: 3. Click Generate Approval Link Full procedure: 1. Go to Marketing → Social Planner 2. Select an Approver from the dropdown 3\. Click **Generate Approval Link** 4\. Set a password: - Auto-generate OR - Enter a custom password ![Step 1: Generate an Approval Link (image 3 of 9)](https://s3.amazonaws.com/cdn.freshdesk.com/data/helpdesk/attachments/production/155068661952/original/Kun9b56B80md0EJr8HPIGPekwZBsKdU9kA.png) **Step 1: Generate an Approval Link (image 3 of 9)** This screenshot appears in the "Step 1: Generate an Approval Link" section of "External Link Approval Flow in Social Planner". The text alongside this image reads: Auto-generate OR Enter a custom password. This part of the guide covers 1 field, listed below. Immediately after, the guide continues: 5. Copy and share the link with your client or stakeholder. - What to fill in: Auto-generate OR Enter a custom password - Fields: Auto-generate OR - Controls: Marketing → Social Planner, Approver, Generate Approval Link - Next: 5. Copy and share the link with your client or stakeholder Full procedure: 1. Go to Marketing → Social Planner 2. Select an Approver from the dropdown 5\. Copy and share the link with your client or stakeholder --- ## Step 2: Share the Link You can share the approval link via: - Email - WhatsApp - Slack - Any messaging platform ![Step 2: Share the Link (image 4 of 9)](https://s3.amazonaws.com/cdn.freshdesk.com/data/helpdesk/attachments/production/155068662005/original/sUzj665VL-5UMW_SJbFaVYLH-iKlPaMMKQ.png) **Step 2: Share the Link (image 4 of 9)** This screenshot appears in the "Step 2: Share the Link" section of "External Link Approval Flow in Social Planner". The text alongside this image reads: Email WhatsApp Slack Any messaging platform. This part of the guide covers 4 fields, listed below. Immediately after, the guide continues: When the approver opens the link, they can view. - What this covers: Email WhatsApp Slack Any messaging platform - Fields: Email, WhatsApp, Slack, Any messaging platform - Next: When the approver opens the link, they can view: Example values (illustrative, not read from the screenshot): - Email: priya.raman@northgatedental.com Full procedure: 1. Email 2. WhatsApp 3. Slack 4. Any messaging platform --- ## Step 3: Approver Reviews the Post When the approver opens the link, they can view: - Post content (caption + media) - Scheduled date & time - Platform details - Notes added by the creator This ensures they have full context before taking action. ![Step 3: Approver Reviews the Post (image 5 of 9)](https://s3.amazonaws.com/cdn.freshdesk.com/data/helpdesk/attachments/production/155068662044/original/w_b2_ok4rr8lD13OkkdISxtCiDH75hxkRQ.png) **Step 3: Approver Reviews the Post (image 5 of 9)** This screenshot appears in the "Step 3: Approver Reviews the Post" section of "External Link Approval Flow in Social Planner". The text alongside this image reads: This ensures they have full context before taking action. Immediately after, the guide continues: Approve the post (with optional notes) Reject the post (with feedback) Reschedule the post Approve/Reject multiple posts (bulk actions). - What this covers: This ensures they have full context before taking action. - Next: Approve the post (with optional notes) Reject the post (with feedback) Reschedule the post Approve/Reject multiple posts (bulk actions) ## Step 4: Approver Takes Action The approver can: - Approve the post (with optional notes) - Reject the post (with feedback) - Reschedule the post - Approve/Reject multiple posts (bulk actions) ![Step 4: Approver Takes Action (image 6 of 9)](https://s3.amazonaws.com/cdn.freshdesk.com/data/helpdesk/attachments/production/155068662056/original/Y7ci0UHoJ-SAZiF2FPzeesQfh0jzR0Xo7g.png) **Step 4: Approver Takes Action (image 6 of 9)** This screenshot appears in the "Step 4: Approver Takes Action" section of "External Link Approval Flow in Social Planner". The text alongside this image reads: Approve the post (with optional notes) Reject the post (with feedback) Reschedule the post Approve/Reject multiple posts (bulk actions). This part of the guide covers 4 fields, listed below. Immediately after, the guide continues: The post status updates in Social Planner You can view approval/rejection notes You can edit and resend if changes are required. - What this covers: Approve the post (with optional notes) Reject the post (with feedback) Reschedule the post Approve/Reject multiple posts (bulk actions) - Fields: Approve the post (with optional notes), Reject the post (with feedback), Reschedule the post, Approve/Reject multiple posts (bulk actions) - Next: The post status updates in Social Planner You can view approval/rejection notes You can edit and resend if changes are required Full procedure: 1. Approve the post (with optional notes) 2. Reject the post (with feedback) 3. Reschedule the post 4. Approve/Reject multiple posts (bulk actions) ![Step 4: Approver Takes Action (image 7 of 9)](https://s3.amazonaws.com/cdn.freshdesk.com/data/helpdesk/attachments/production/155068662117/original/6gud2Rl5jUjb77uCZDMNelEtpOplAw10lQ.png) **Step 4: Approver Takes Action (image 7 of 9)** This screenshot appears in the "Step 4: Approver Takes Action" section of "External Link Approval Flow in Social Planner". The text alongside this image reads: Approve the post (with optional notes) Reject the post (with feedback) Reschedule the post Approve/Reject multiple posts (bulk actions). Immediately after, the guide continues: The post status updates in Social Planner You can view approval/rejection notes You can edit and resend if changes are required. - What this covers: Approve the post (with optional notes) Reject the post (with feedback) Reschedule the post Approve/Reject multiple posts (bulk actions) - Next: The post status updates in Social Planner You can view approval/rejection notes You can edit and resend if changes are required ## Step 5: View Approval Status & Notes Once action is taken: - The post status updates in Social Planner - You can view **approval/rejection notes** - You can edit and resend if changes are required Approved posts will proceed to scheduled publishing. ![Step 5: View Approval Status & Notes (image 8 of 9)](https://s3.amazonaws.com/cdn.freshdesk.com/data/helpdesk/attachments/production/155068662129/original/AseJb9xzsasFjb8KIKioO4dgsPHtW7h7Wg.png) **Step 5: View Approval Status & Notes (image 8 of 9)** This screenshot appears in the "Step 5: View Approval Status & Notes" section of "External Link Approval Flow in Social Planner". The text alongside this image reads: Approved posts will proceed to scheduled publishing. Immediately after, the guide continues: You can manage all your approval links from one place. - What this covers: Approved posts will proceed to scheduled publishing. - Next: You can manage all your approval links from one place. ## Managing Approval Links You can manage all your approval links from one place. ### Steps: 1. Go to **Settings → Manage Links** ### Available Actions: - View all approval links - Check status: - Active - Expired - Revoked - Regenerate links - Revoke access - Extend validity ## ![Available Actions: (image 9 of 9)](https://s3.amazonaws.com/cdn.freshdesk.com/data/helpdesk/attachments/production/155068662167/original/PGApOtBM7DJHn08OcxKSMTIGTf3JxBts_w.png) **Available Actions: (image 9 of 9)** This screenshot appears in the "Available Actions:" section of "External Link Approval Flow in Social Planner". The text alongside this image reads: View all approval links Check status: Regenerate links Revoke access Extend validity. Immediately after, the guide continues: Links are valid for 30 days After expiry. - What this covers: View all approval links Check status: Regenerate links Revoke access Extend validity - Next: Links are valid for 30 days After expiry: ## Link Expiry & Recovery - Links are valid for **30 days** - After expiry: - Approver can request a new link - You can regenerate the link instantly --- ## Important Notes - Approval links are **password protected** - Links expire after **30 days** - You can **regenerate or revoke** links anytime - Actions are **restricted once a post is published** - Only users with required permissions can generate links - The Approver can only open the approval link  desktop/web view and mobile view is currently is progress and will release soon. --- ## Best Practices - Add clear **notes for approvers** to avoid confusion - Share links with the **right stakeholders only** - Regularly monitor approval status to avoid delays - Regenerate links if clients report access issues --- Documentation for GHL Customer Care. Support: support@ghlcustomercare.com