What is a Hyperlink? Definition and Types

Hyperlink

What is a Hyperlink? Definition and Meaning

A hyperlink, or link, is a clickable element that takes the user somewhere else: another web page, a file, an email address or another part of the same page. On the web, links are made with the HTML <a> element and its href attribute. Hyperlink definition: a link in a document that connects to other content, from “hypertext”, the web’s way of joining pages through links. In everyday use the meaning is simply “a link”; adding one is called hyperlinking, and clicking it follows the link.

Types of hyperlinks

Internal links point to pages on the same website.
External links point to other websites. For the site receiving them, they are backlinks.
Jump links go to a section of the same page.
Email and phone links (mailto: and tel:) open an email or start a call.

Hyperlinks and SEO

Links are how search engines discover pages and one of the ways they judge which pages matter. The clickable words, the anchor text, tell them what the linked page is about. A rel attribute can qualify a link: rel="nofollow", rel="sponsored" for paid links and rel="ugc" for links in comments and forums.

Hyperlink HTML examples

<a href="https://www.example.com/guide/">Read the guide</a>
<a href="#pricing">Jump to pricing</a>
<a href="mailto:[email protected]">Email us</a>
<a href="tel:+46400000000">Call us</a>

Link best practices

Use real links: Google can follow links that are <a> elements with an href. Links that work only through scripts or click handlers may not be followed.
Write descriptive text: say what the linked page is. See anchor text.
Link to related pages: good internal links help readers and crawlers.
Make links easy to tap and see, with enough contrast and spacing.
Fix broken links. Check them with a crawler.

Hyperlink FAQs

What is the difference between a hyperlink and a backlink?

A hyperlink is any link. A backlink is a link to your site from another site. See backlink.

Should links open in a new tab?

Usually leave that to the user. Use a new tab only when leaving the current page would lose the visitor’s work, such as in a form.