A link is text or an image that takes you to another page or location when you click it
A link is the clickable part of a webpage that moves you somewhere else — to another page on the same website, to a different website entirely, to a file you can read, or even to a specific spot lower down on the current page. Links are usually underlined and colored differently from regular text, though not always. When you click one, your browser loads whatever it points to.
Links are how websites connect to each other and how you navigate within a single site. Without links, the web would be a collection of isolated pages with no way to move between them. Every time you click something on a webpage and end up somewhere new, you have used a link.
Key Takeaways
- Links are clickable text or images that take you to another webpage, file, or location when you click them.
- Most links are underlined and blue by default, but websites can style them to look different while still working the same way.
- You can see where a link points before you click it by hovering your mouse over it — the address appears at the bottom of your browser window.
- Links can point to pages on the same website, to other websites, to files you can read, or to a specific section of the current page.
How links look and where you find them
On most websites, links appear as underlined blue text. This is the standard that web browsers use by default, and most sites keep it because people recognize it when ready. However, website designers can change the color and remove the underline — you might see links in red, green, purple, or any other color. Some links look like buttons. Some are hidden inside images. The only reliable way to know if something is a link is to move your mouse over it and watch for the cursor to change into a pointing hand.
Links appear in navigation menus at the top or side of a page, in the body text of articles, in lists, in footers, and inside images. A single webpage might have dozens of links pointing in different directions.
What happens when you click a link
When you click a link, your browser reads the address it points to and loads that page or file. This happens almost when ready on a fast internet connection, though larger files or slower connections take longer. The page you came from stays in your browser history, so you can use the back button to return to it.
Some links open in the same window, replacing the page you were on. Others open in a new tab or window, leaving the original page open behind them. Website designers choose which behavior makes sense for each link — a link to another article on the same site usually opens in the same window, while a link to an outside source might open in a new tab so you do not lose your place.
How to see where a link points before you click it
Before clicking any link, you can find out where it goes. Move your mouse over the link and look at the very bottom left corner of your browser window — a small text box appears showing the web address (called a URL) that the link points to. This is useful when you are not sure whether a link is trustworthy or when you want to know what you are about to open.
On a phone or tablet, this preview does not appear the same way because there is no mouse. Instead, you can press and hold your finger on the link for a second or two, and a menu pops up showing the address and options like "open in new tab" or "copy link".
Different types of links and what they do
Most links point to webpages, but they can point to other things too. A link might point to a PDF document, a video file, an image, or a downloadable program. When you click a link to a file, your browser either opens it (if it can display that type of file) or asks you where you want to save it on your computer.
Some links point to a specific section of a webpage rather than the top of the page. These are called anchor links. When you click one, the page jumps down to that section. You see these often in long articles with a table of contents at the top — each item in the table of contents is an anchor link that takes you to that section.
Email links are less common but still exist. They look like regular links but start with "mailto:" — when you click one, your email program opens with a new message addressed to that person. Phone links work the same way on mobile devices, starting with "tel:" and opening your phone app ready to call that number.
Why links matter and how the web depends on them
Links are the foundation of how the web works. They connect pages to each other, let you move from one site to another, and create the structure that search engines use to understand what information exists and how it relates. Without links, there would be no way to navigate from one page to another except by typing in a web address manually.
Search engines like Google follow links to discover new pages and decide which pages are important based partly on how many other pages link to them. Websites use links to guide visitors through their content and to point to sources and related information. Understanding what links are and how they work is essential to using the web effectively.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I tell if a link is safe before I click it?
You can see the web address a link points to by hovering over it and reading the address at the bottom of your browser. If the address looks suspicious or does not match what the link text says, do not click it. However, a link that looks safe can still be dangerous — the only real protection is keeping your browser and antivirus software up to date.
What is the difference between a link and a URL?
A URL is the web address itself — the text that identifies a specific page or file on the internet. A link is the clickable element on a webpage that contains a URL. The link is what you see and click; the URL is the address it points to.
Why do some links turn purple after I click them?
Your browser keeps track of which links you have visited and changes their color to show you have already been there. This helps you remember where you have been and avoid clicking the same link twice. You can usually change this behavior in your browser settings if you prefer.
Can I copy a link without clicking it?
Yes. On a computer, right-click the link and choose "copy link address" or "copy link". On a phone or tablet, press and hold the link until a menu appears, then choose "copy link". You can then paste the address into an email, document, or another browser tab.