Definition:
Hyperlink is an actionable element in a digital document or interface that references another resource or location. It is also commonly called a link or web link. Its destination may be a page, a section within the same document, an image, a file, an email address, a telephone number or a function supported by the application.
A hyperlink is not the same as the URL to which it points. The link includes actionable content, a destination and, depending on the environment, attributes that define how it should open or the relationship between the two resources. It may appear as text, an image, an icon, a button or another recognizable component.
Table of contents
How a hyperlink works
In HTML, a link is commonly built with the a element and the href attribute, which contains its destination. The browser or application interprets that reference when a person activates the element with a mouse, keyboard, touchscreen or assistive technology.
The process can be summarized in four steps:
- Presentation: the interface displays text, an image or another element as actionable content.
- Activation: the person selects the link using an available interaction method.
- Resolution: the system interprets the destination, which may be expressed as an absolute URL, a relative reference, a fragment or a scheme such as
mailto:ortel:. - Action: the browser may navigate to another resource, move within the document, start a download or request that a compatible application be opened.
The final action depends on the destination, device configuration and available permissions. An email or telephone link therefore does not always open an application automatically or complete the action without confirmation.
Types of hyperlinks
Hyperlinks can be classified by their destination and the action they enable:
- Internal: connect locations or pages within the same website and form part of its navigation and architecture. The internal link entry explains this use in more detail.
- External: lead to a resource on another website or domain.
- Fragment: take the user to an identified point within the same document or another page.
- Deep: lead to specific content or a particular state in a website or application instead of only to its home screen. This behavior is covered in deep linking.
- Download: point to a file that the browser may display, open with another application or download.
- Contact or action: use schemes such as
mailto:ortel:to request an action supported by the device.
The actionable content may be text or an image. In text links, the visible words are the anchor text; in an image link, alternative text helps communicate the purpose to people who cannot see the image.
Usability and accessibility
A useful link makes it possible to recognize that it can be activated and to anticipate its purpose. Several practices support this goal:
- Descriptive purpose: link text should identify the destination or action in context, avoiding vague phrases such as “click here” when a specific description can be used.
- Visual identification: color, underlining, focus or other indicators should distinguish the link without relying on color alone.
- Keyboard access: the component should be able to receive focus and be activated without a mouse.
- Understandable images: an image that acts as a link needs alternative text that conveys its function or destination.
- Predictable changes: downloads, the opening of another application or a new tab should be understandable before activation when the behavior may surprise the user.
Essential information should not depend only on hovering over a link. Touchscreens do not offer the same interaction, and hover information may not be available to people navigating with a keyboard.
Broken hyperlinks
A hyperlink is broken when its destination can no longer be reached or does not respond as expected. Causes include a mistyped URL, a deleted page, a moved file, insufficient permissions or an incorrect redirect. The result is not always a 404 error: it may also be a server response, a loop, a missing download or a destination different from the one described.
Broken links make navigation more difficult and may prevent users and crawlers from reaching relevant resources. Their effect depends on the importance and location of the link and whether a valid alternative exists; they do not represent an automatic penalty on their own.
Hyperlinks and SEO
Search engines use links to discover resources, interpret relationships and navigate a website’s architecture. Linking also distributes signals between pages, but no hyperlink guarantees a ranking improvement on its own.
An SEO review of hyperlinks should consider the following aspects:
- Accessible destination: the URL should respond correctly and display the resource promised by the link.
- Clear context: anchor text and the surrounding words should help explain the relationship between the source and destination.
- Coherent architecture: internal links should make important content accessible without creating confusing paths or isolated pages.
- Appropriate attributes: values such as
rel,target,hreflangordownloadshould match the actual function of the link.
The MDN guide to creating hyperlinks explains their HTML structure, relative and absolute destinations and basic writing practices.