What a clickable link actually is

A clickable link is text or an image on a webpage that takes you somewhere else when you click it. The link itself is invisible code underneath — what you see is usually blue underlined text, a button, or an image. When you click it, your browser opens a new page, a document, or an email window.

The code that makes this work is called HTML, and it uses a tag called an anchor tag. You do not need to write code yourself to create a link — most tools you already use (email, word processors, website builders) have a button that does it for you. But understanding what is happening underneath helps you spot when something is actually a link and when it just looks like one.

Key Takeaways

  • A clickable link is text or an image with hidden code that directs your browser to a new webpage, document, or email address when clicked.
  • Most email programs, word processors, and website builders have a "link" or "insert link" button that creates the code for you without typing anything.
  • Hovering your mouse over text shows you the actual destination in the bottom left corner of your browser — use this to check if a link goes where it claims.
  • Links can be hidden inside words, buttons, or images, so clickable things are not always obviously blue and underlined.
  • The code underneath a link is just a set of instructions telling your browser which address to open.

How to create a clickable link in email

In Gmail, Outlook, or Apple Mail, highlight the text you want to turn into a link. Then look for a link icon — usually a chain or paperclip symbol in the toolbar. Click it, paste or type the web address you want the link to go to, and click insert or confirm.

The text you highlighted stays visible, but now it is clickable. When someone clicks that text, their browser opens the address you entered. You can test it yourself by clicking the link you just made — it should take you where you intended.

If you want to change where a link goes, right-click the linked text and select "edit link" or "change link". If you want to remove the link entirely, right-click and select "remove link".

How to create a clickable link in a document or website builder

In Microsoft Word, Google Docs, or website builders like Wix or Squarespace, the process is nearly identical. Highlight the text, click the link button (usually a chain icon), enter the web address, and confirm.

Some website builders also let you link to pages within your own site, not just external websites. When you click the link button, you may see a dropdown menu that says "external link" or "internal link" — choose the one that matches where you want the link to go.

If you are building a website and want to link to a PDF, image, or other file, you upload that file first, then use the link button to point to it. The builder handles the code; you just select the file from your uploads.

Why links sometimes do not work the way you expect

A link might not be clickable if the code was not entered correctly. This usually happens when someone types a web address without the "http://" or "https://" at the beginning — the browser does not recognize it as a link and treats it as plain text instead.

Links can also break if the page they point to no longer exists. You will see an error message like "404 Not Found" or "This page does not exist". This is not a problem with the link itself — it is a problem with the destination.

Sometimes a link looks clickable but is not. This happens when someone changes the color of text to blue and underlines it to look like a link, but did not actually create the link code underneath. Hover your mouse over the text — if the cursor does not change to a hand, and the bottom left corner of your browser does not show a web address, it is not actually a link.

How to check where a link actually goes before clicking

Before you click any link, especially one in an email or on an unfamiliar website, hover your mouse over it. Look at the bottom left corner of your browser window — you will see the actual web address the link points to. If the address does not match what the link text says, do not click it.

For example, a link might say "Click here to update your bank account" but the address in the corner shows something like "malicious-website.com". That is a sign the link is trying to trick you. Legitimate links go where they say they go.

On a phone or tablet, you cannot hover to see the address. Instead, press and hold the link for a second or two — a menu will pop up showing you the destination address before you commit to clicking.

The difference between a link and a button

A button is a clickable element that usually looks raised or three-dimensional, often with a solid background color. A link is usually text, often blue and underlined. But underneath, they work the same way — both are code that tells your browser to do something when you click.

Buttons are often used for actions like "Submit", "read", or "Sign Up". Links are often used to point to other pages or documents. But this is just a design choice — a button can link to a page, and a link can submit a form. The visual difference does not change what the code does.

What happens in the code when you click a link

The code underneath a clickable link looks like this: <a href="https://www.example.com">Click here</a>. The part that says "href" tells your browser which address to open. The text between the opening and closing tags is what you see on the page.

You do not need to write this code yourself — your email program, word processor, or website builder writes it for you when you use the link button. But if you ever see code like this and wonder what it means, now you know: the "href" is the destination, and the text is what appears on the page.

Some links also have extra code that tells your browser to open the destination in a new tab instead of replacing the current page. This is useful when you want to keep reading the original page while also looking at the linked page.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make an image clickable?

Yes. Highlight or select the image, click the link button, enter the web address, and confirm. When someone clicks the image, it behaves exactly like a text link — their browser opens the destination address.

What if I want a link to open in a new tab instead of replacing the current page?

Most email and document programs have a checkbox or option that says "open in new tab" or "open in new window" when you are creating the link. Check that box before you confirm. On websites, right-click the link and select "open in new tab".

How do I know if a link is safe to click?

Hover over the link and check the address in the bottom left corner of your browser. If the address matches what the link text says, it is probably safe. If the address looks suspicious or does not match, do not click it. Be especially cautious with links in emails from people you do not know.

Can I change the text of a link without breaking it?

Yes. Right-click the link, select "edit link", and change the visible text. The destination address stays the same. The visible text and the destination are separate — you can change one without affecting the other.

What does it mean when a link is "broken"?

A broken link points to a page that no longer exists. The code is correct, but the destination has been deleted or moved. You will see an error message when you click it. The link itself is not broken — the page it points to is gone.