A link is a clickable path from one webpage to another
A link is text or an image on a webpage that, when you click it, takes you to a different webpage or a different part of the same page. The webpage address that the link points to is stored in the link's code, hidden from view. When you hover your mouse over a link, your browser shows you where it goes — usually in the bottom left corner of the window or as a tooltip.
Links are the connective tissue of the web. Without them, each webpage would be isolated. With them, you can move from one site to another, jump between pages on the same site, or skip to a specific section within a long page. Every time you click a link, your browser loads the destination webpage.
Key Takeaways
- A link contains a hidden web address that your browser reads when you click, then loads that page.
- Links can point to other websites, different pages on the same site, or sections within the current page.
- The visible text of a link (called anchor text) should describe where the link goes so you know what to expect.
- You can see where a link points by hovering over it or right-clicking and checking the link properties.
- Links are created using HTML code, but you do not need to write code yourself — most website builders and editors create them for you.
How links are built and what they contain
A link in HTML code looks like this: <a href="https://example.com">Click here</a>. The href (hypertext reference) is the actual web address. The text between the opening and closing tags — "Click here" in this example — is what you see on the page and what you click. That visible text is called anchor text.
When you create a link in a word processor, email, or website builder, you do not type HTML. Instead, you highlight the text you want to turn into a link, click a link button, and paste or type the destination address. The software converts your action into HTML code behind the scenes. The result is the same: clickable text that points somewhere.
A link can point to a full web address (https://www.example.com), a relative path on the same site (/about), or an anchor within a page (#section-name). It can also point to an email address (mailto:name@example.com) or trigger a phone call on mobile devices (tel:+1234567890).
The difference between internal and external links
An internal link points to another page on the same website. If you are reading an article on a news site and click a link to another article on that same news site, you have clicked an internal link. Internal links help readers explore related content and help search engines understand how pages on a site connect to each other.
An external link points to a page on a different website. If you click a link that takes you from one site to a completely different site, that is an external link. External links bring in traffic from other sites and signal to search engines that your content is connected to trusted sources elsewhere on the web.
What happens when you click a link
When you click a link, your browser reads the href address and sends a request to the web server at that address. The server responds by sending back the webpage code. Your browser then displays that page on your screen. The whole process usually takes less than a second, though it can be slower on weak internet connections.
If you click a link to a page that no longer exists, the server returns a 404 error — a message saying the page was not found. If the website itself is down, you might see a different error or a timeout message. These errors mean the link itself is fine; the destination is just unavailable.
You can open a link in a new tab or window by right-clicking it and selecting "Open in new tab" or "Open in new window." You can also hold Ctrl (on Windows) or Command (on Mac) while clicking to open it in a new tab automatically. This keeps your current page open so you do not lose your place.
How to tell where a link points before you click it
Hover your mouse over any link without clicking. Your browser will display the destination address in a small preview, usually at the bottom left of the window. On some browsers and devices, you might see a tooltip that appears near your cursor instead. This preview lets you decide whether you actually want to go there before you click.
You can also right-click a link and select "Copy link address" to see the full URL in your clipboard, or "Inspect" to see the HTML code that creates the link. These options are useful if you want to check whether a link is legitimate before clicking it — especially important if you receive a suspicious link in an email or message.
Good links have anchor text that describes where they go. A link that says "Learn more about our return policy" is clearer than one that says "Click here." Descriptive anchor text helps you understand what you are clicking before you click it, and it also helps people using screen readers navigate the page.
Links and search engines
Search engines like Google use links to discover new pages and to understand how pages relate to each other. When a search engine crawler visits a webpage, it follows the links on that page to find other pages. The more links pointing to a page from other sites, the more important search engines consider that page to be.
The anchor text of a link also matters to search engines. If many sites link to a page using anchor text like "best running shoes," search engines learn that the page is relevant to that topic. This is why websites care about both how many links point to them and what text those links use.
Some links are marked as "nofollow," which tells search engines not to count them as a vote of confidence. News sites often use nofollow on links to user comments, and sites sometimes use it on paid advertisements. A nofollow link still works normally when you click it — the nofollow instruction is only for search engines.
Common link problems and what they mean
A broken link points to a page that no longer exists. This happens when a website removes a page, changes its address, or shuts down entirely. Broken links frustrate readers and signal to search engines that a site is not being maintained. Website owners use tools to find and fix broken links regularly.
A redirect is when a link points to one address, but the server automatically sends you to a different address instead. Redirects are useful when a site reorganizes — the old link still works, but it takes you to the new location. Redirects can be temporary (the old page might come back) or permanent (the old page is gone for good).
A phishing link looks like it points to one place but actually points to a fake website designed to steal your information. These links often appear in emails or messages and use anchor text that tricks you into clicking. The safest practice is to hover over any suspicious link to see where it actually goes before clicking.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I see all the links on a webpage at once?
Yes. Most browsers have a keyboard shortcut to show all links: press Ctrl+Shift+G on Windows or Command+Shift+G on Mac. Some browsers also have a "Show all links" option in the menu. This is useful if you want to scan a long page quickly or check whether a page has links to a specific site.
What is the difference between a link and a URL?
A URL is a web address — the actual path to a page. A link is a clickable element on a webpage that contains a URL. You can see a URL in your browser's address bar. A link is what you click to go there. Every link contains a URL, but not every URL is part of a link.
Why do some links change color after I click them?
Browsers track which links you have visited and display them in a different color (usually purple instead of blue) to help you remember where you have already been. This is a browser setting, not something the website controls. You can change these colors in your browser preferences if you want.
Can I download something by clicking a link?
Yes. A link can point to a file instead of a webpage. When you click it, your browser downloads the file to your computer instead of displaying a page. Common downloadable files include PDFs, images, videos, and software installers. Your browser usually asks where you want to save the file.
What does it mean when a link is underlined?
Underlining is a visual convention that signals "this is a link." Most websites underline links by default so readers know they are clickable. Some sites remove the underline but use color or other styling to show that text is a link. The important thing is that links should look visually distinct from regular text.