hyperlinks

Hyperlinks are references that enable navigation between documents, locations, or resources by clicking. They can be embedded in text or images and may link to web pages, files, email addresses, or other media. Hyperlinks are a fundamental mechanism of hypertext and the World Wide Web.

Types of hyperlinks include external links to other sites and internal links to pages within the same site. They can use absolute URLs (full addresses) or relative URLs (paths within a site). Special schemes such as mailto:, tel:, and data: are also used to link to email, phone, or embedded data. A link can point to a specific location within a page using a fragment identifier, such as a hash followed by a section name.

In HTML, a hyperlink is created with the anchor element, typically written as <a href="URL">link text</a>. The clickable area can be text or an image. Descriptive link text improves accessibility, and optional attributes such as title can provide extra information. Links may also be combined with images or other media to create clickable regions.

Rendering and behavior vary by browser and user settings. Links usually navigate in the same window, but can be configured to open in a new tab or window using the target attribute. The rel attribute can express the relationship between the current document and the linked resource and, for security, can be used in conjunction with target="_blank" to reduce risk of tabnabbing.

History and standards: the idea of hypertext predates the Web, with early concepts by Ted Nelson, while Tim Berners-Lee implemented the first hyperlinks on the World Wide Web around 1990. HTML and related standards define how hyperlinks are created and interpreted across browsers and devices.

Accessibility and usability: descriptions should be meaningful for all users, avoiding phrases like “click here.” Ensure visible focus styles for keyboard navigation and consider color contrast. Clear, trustworthy link destinations support safe and effective navigation.