A hyperlink, also known as a link, is an essential element that allows a user to be redirected from one location on the web to another (e.g., from one subpage to another). What exactly is a hyperlink, what does it consist of, and what are its types?
What is a hyperlink?
A hyperlink is an element of an HTML document that allows the user to be redirected to another location, e.g. to another subpage.
This is a basic element of web navigation that can lead to, among other things:
- another Web page or subpages,
- another section on the same page (example: table of contents in a blog article),
- document or file, e.g. for download.
Hyperlinks can be internal (meaning they lead to different resources within the same website). They can also be external (meaning they lead to a different domain).
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External links can be inbound – meaning that someone from another domain reaches ours, or outbound – when our website links to another domain.
A hyperlink isn't always visible as a link . It can be a photo or other element on the page, such as a banner.
Hyperlink – mechanism of action
Hyperlinks operate via HTTP (Hypertext Transfer Protocol). When you click on a hyperlink, your web browser processes the information contained in the link and sends a request to the server to load or open the target page. The HTTP protocol is responsible for exchanging data between your browser and the server hosting the page.
What does a hyperlink consist of?
A hyperlink consists of:
- destination URL (i.e. the target page or target resource that the user is supposed to reach) – the URL consists of a protocol, e.g. "http://", a domain and a file path that indicates its exact location,
- anchor – is a clickable element that takes the user to the target resource,
An important element to specify in a hyperlink is how the target resource should be opened : should the resource open in the same window or in a new one? And in the case of files, should it be automatically downloaded?
Hyperlink – what are its types?
Hyperlinks can be divided into several types according to various criteria.
Due to the value of the follow attribute:
- dofollow backlinks – signaling Google search engine robots to follow the provided URL,
- nofollow backlinks – tell search engine robots to ignore a given URL and not include it when indexing the site.
Due to the format:
- text – this is a very popular type of hyperlink: the “hidden” link is under the highlighted content – usually in a different color or format, after hovering over this fragment of text with italics and clicking, the user is transferred to another destination,
- graphic and in the form of video or other clickable elements – a hyperlink takes the user to another destination, such as by clicking on a photo, embedded video, banner, or other visual element.
Due to range:
- inside – within a given domain,
- anchored – they move to an element within the same subpage,
- Outside – leading to another domain.
Another popular type of hyperlink is the so-called email hyperlink . These links take users from a website directly to their email inbox so they can initiate contact. These links open the email application and automatically enter the recipient's email address.
In some cases, you may also encounter hyperlinks that allow for app installation , i.e., they take the user directly to a location where they can install the app. These hyperlinks are primarily designed for mobile devices.
Where do you add a hyperlink? Use
Hyperlinks are crucial elements of online marketing strategies. This is primarily because they can be used to build a user's purchasing journey —from the moment they discover a brand, through familiarization, building trust, and finally completing the purchase.
Hyperlinks make this process much easier, helping the user, for example, to obtain more necessary information on other subpages or redirecting them directly to a product page.
Example use of hyperlinks:
- in e-mail marketing – they direct users to offers, forms, landing pages and additional resources, among others,
- w SEO strategies – support SEO by linking internal, improving the indexing and visibility of the site and external linking, strengthening its authority,
- w online ads – they direct users directly to websites, forms or stores, supporting sales and data collection,
- in event promotion – they direct, among others, to registration pages,
- in video content – they lead to landing pages, offers and forms, among others, increasing interaction and conversions.
How to create a hyperlink?
Creating an HTML hyperlink is quite simple. See how you can do it.
Hyperlink in HTML
To create a hyperlink in HTML, we use the <a> tag, which is responsible for creating links. Here's the basic syntax: <a href="URL">Link text</a>.
- href – an attribute specifying the URL to which the link leads,
- Link text – text that users will see and can click on.
HTML Email Hyperlink
If you want to create a link that opens your default email application with your email address filled in, use the formula: <a href=”mailto:example@example.com”>Send email</a>.
In some programs and tools (e.g. Microsoft Word, Magento, WordPress), creating a hyperlink is possible by, among other things, searching for the Link option and pasting the appropriate URL.
Hyperlink – how to optimize it?
You can use hyperlinks to improve your website's visibility, including through Google search engines, and to create a user-friendly and intuitive website. How can you optimize hyperlinks?
- Make sure your anchor text is well-formulated, i.e. clickable text. Instead of using generic phrases like "click here," use specific and descriptive words that clearly define what the user will find when they click. For example, instead of "click here," use "read our SEO guide."
- Optimize your hyperlink for SEO – if possible, include keywords in your anchor text to improve SEOFor example, instead of "Learn more," use the more detailed and descriptive text "Learn more about weight loss supplements."
- Take care of high-quality external linking – in external links, make sure you redirect to current pages and content of high quality and reputation in the Google search engine.
- Make sure you have good URLs – make sure that links lead to user-friendly and SEO-friendly URLs that are easy to understand and contain relevant keywords. Example: https://www.example.com/poradnik-seo instead of https://www.example.com/page?id=123.
Furthermore, hyperlinks should be highlighted within the content and placed there for a specific reason—they should provide additional value to the user. Remember, the hyperlink should be thematically related to the content on the subpage.
Frequently asked questions about hyperlinks (links)
A hyperlink, commonly called a link, is an active element on a website. It can take the form of text, a graphic, or a button. Clicking it automatically takes the user to another location on the web—another subpage, an external website, a downloadable file, or a specific fragment of the same text (an anchor).
A standard HTML link consists of two main parts: a hidden URL (the final destination) and anchor text. Anchor text is the visible, clickable piece of text on a page (often underlined and in a different color) that tells users and Google's crawlers what's underneath the link.
From the point of view of construction and navigation, we distinguish two main types:
- Internal links: These lead to other pages within the same domain. They make it easier for users to navigate your store or blog and keep them there longer.
- External links: They lead from your website to other, foreign domains (so-called outbound links) or from other websites directly to your website (so-called inbound links – backlinks).
These attributes are special instructions for search engine robots (e.g. Google).
- Dofollow: This is the default attribute. It provides the target page with SEO power (link juice) and authority, which directly supports its SEO.
- Nofollow: This signals search engine crawlers not to follow the link and not to give it any ranking value. It's most often used in comment sections, forums, or with sponsored links to avoid penalties for artificially manipulating rankings.
Hyperlinks are the absolute foundation of the internet and a key ranking factor. Proper internal linking allows Google robots to crawl and index your site faster. In turn, valuable incoming links from external, trusted sites act as "recommendations." The more strong websites link to your domain, the higher its authority, which translates into higher rankings in organic search results.
Summary
The above article covers the following topics:
- A hyperlink is an HTML element that redirects a user to another page, subpage, section or file.
- The hyperlink works via the HTTP protocol.
- A hyperlink consists of a URL, an anchor, and a description of how to open the resource.
- Types of hyperlinks by follow attribute: dofollow and nofollow, by format: text, image and video, by reach: internal, anchor and external, as well as email and install.
- Application: email marketing, SEO, online advertising, event promotion and video content to build the user's purchase path.
- Creation: in HTML tag Text , for e-mail Text , in tools via the Link option.
- Optimization: descriptive anchor text with keywords instead of "click here", linking to quality pages and friendly URLs.
