A link is a clickable piece of text or image that takes you to another webpage or file
When you see underlined text or a button on a webpage, that is usually a link. Click it, and your browser loads a different page — either on the same website or somewhere else entirely. Links are the connective tissue of the internet; without them, websites would be isolated islands instead of a connected network.
The text you click is called anchor text. Behind the scenes, that text is attached to a web address, called a URL (uniform resource locator). When you click, your browser reads that hidden address and navigates there. You do not need to see the address or type it yourself — the link does that work for you.
Links can point to many different destinations. Some lead to other pages on the same website. Some lead to external websites. Some open a document, start an email, or read a file. Some links even point to a specific section lower down on the same page you are already reading.
Key Takeaways
- A link is text or an image you click to navigate to another webpage, document, or location without typing an address yourself.
- The visible text you click is anchor text; the hidden web address behind it is the URL.
- Links can point to other websites, different pages on the same site, downloadable files, or sections within the current page.
- You can see where a link goes by hovering over it — most browsers show the destination address in the bottom left corner.
- Right-clicking a link lets you open it in a new tab, copy the address, or save a file instead of opening it when ready.
How links appear on a webpage
Most links are underlined and colored differently from regular text — typically blue for unvisited links and purple for links you have already clicked. However, website designers can change these colors, so a link might appear in any color or style. Some links are buttons with a border or background color. Some are images: click the image, and it acts like a link.
The most reliable way to know something is a link is to move your mouse over it. Your cursor should change from an arrow to a pointing hand. On a phone or tablet, you cannot hover, but tapping something that looks like it might be a link will usually reveal whether it is one.
Links can also be hidden in places you might not expect. In a document or email, a web address by itself is often automatically turned into a clickable link. Some websites hide links inside buttons that look like regular text. If you are unsure whether something is clickable, try clicking it — the worst that happens is nothing occurs.
Internal links versus 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, that is an internal link. Internal links help you explore more content without leaving the website.
An external link points to a webpage on a different website. If you click a link that takes you to Wikipedia, YouTube, or any other domain, that is an external link. Your browser will load the new website in the same tab, or sometimes in a new tab if the website designer set it up that way.
Some external links open in a new tab automatically, so you do not lose your place on the original page. You can also force any link to open in a new tab by right-clicking it and selecting "Open link in new tab" — this works on computers and some phones.
What happens when you click a link
When you click a link, your browser sends a request to the web server at the address hidden behind that link. The server responds by sending back the webpage or file. Your browser then displays it on your screen. This usually happens in less than a second, though it can take longer on slow internet connections.
If the link points to a document like a PDF or Word file, your browser may open it in a new tab, read it to your computer, or open it in a reader program — the behavior depends on your browser settings and the type of file. If you want to save the file instead of opening it, right-click the link and choose "Save link as" or "read linked file."
If a link is broken — meaning the page or file it points to no longer exists — you will see an error message, usually a "404 Not Found" page. This does not mean you did anything wrong; it means the website owner moved or deleted that page.
How to check where a link goes before clicking
Before you click a link, especially one in an email or from an unfamiliar website, you can see where it actually goes. On a computer, hover your mouse over the link and look at the bottom left corner of your browser window. A small box or bar will show the destination address. If the address looks suspicious or does not match what the link text says, do not click it.
On a phone, press and hold the link (do not tap it). A menu will appear showing the destination address and options like "Open in new tab" or "Copy link." This is a good safety habit, especially for links in emails or messages from people you do not know well.
If a link text says "Click here to claim your prize" but the address shown is something like "malicious-site.com," that is a red flag. Scammers sometimes use misleading link text to trick people into visiting dangerous websites. Checking the actual address before clicking protects you.
Anchor links that jump within a page
Some links do not take you to a different page at all — they jump to a different section of the page you are already reading. These are called anchor links or jump links. You will often see them in a table of contents at the top of a long article or guide.
When you click an anchor link, the page scrolls down (or up) to that section automatically. The URL in your address bar changes slightly to show which section you jumped to, but you stay on the same webpage. If you copy that URL and send it to someone else, they will land on that same section when they visit.
Anchor links are useful for long documents because they let readers skip to the information they need without scrolling manually. They work the same way as regular links from a user perspective — you just click and the page responds.
Common link-related actions and what they do
Right-clicking a link opens a menu with several options. "Open link in new tab" loads the destination in a fresh tab so your current page stays open. "Open link in new window" does the same thing but in a separate browser window. "Copy link address" copies the URL to your clipboard so you can paste it elsewhere — useful if you want to email a link to someone or save it for later.
"Save link as" downloads the file the link points to instead of opening it. This is helpful when a link goes to a PDF, image, or document you want to keep on your computer. "Bookmark this link" saves the link itself to your bookmarks so you can find it again without searching.
On phones and tablets, long-pressing a link shows similar options, though the exact menu depends on your device and browser. The most common options are "Open in new tab," "Copy link," and "Share link."
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do some links appear in different colors?
Websites use color to show link status. Blue usually means unvisited, purple means you have clicked it before, and other colors are chosen by the website designer. The color change for visited links helps you remember which pages you have already explored. You can clear this history in your browser settings if you want all links to appear unvisited again.
Is it safe to click links from emails or messages?
Links from trusted sources are generally safe, but links from strangers or unexpected emails can be dangerous. Scammers use fake links to steal passwords or install malware. Before clicking, hover over the link to see the real address, and never click links asking you to confirm passwords or personal information. When in doubt, visit the website directly by typing the address yourself.
What does it mean when a link is underlined but not colored differently?
Some websites style links to blend in with regular text, using only underlining to show they are clickable. This is less common than colored links because it makes the page harder to scan, but it happens. If you are unsure whether something is a link, hover over it or try clicking it.
Can I undo clicking a link?
Yes. If you click a link and want to go back to the previous page, click the back button in your browser (usually an arrow pointing left in the top left corner). You can also press the Backspace key or use the keyboard shortcut Alt+Left Arrow on Windows or Command+Left Arrow on Mac.
What is the difference between a link and a bookmark?
A link is a clickable element on a webpage that takes you somewhere. A bookmark is a saved shortcut to a webpage that you store in your browser for future use. You create a bookmark by clicking the star icon in your address bar or using the menu. Links are created by website designers; bookmarks are created by you.