A hyperlink is a graphic or piece of text in an Internet document that can connect readers to another web page or to another part of a document. Web users will typically find at least one hyperlink on every web page. The simplest form of these is called embedded text or embedded link.
Computer users can click on the hyperlink text to go to another page or website.
In this case, a hyperlink will appear as a single word or group of words that will typically be marked as underlined and will often be colored blue. Clicking on the hyperlink may take you to another part of the page or may open another web page.
Hyperlinks may be underlined or have a different color than the surrounding text.
The HTML code for a hyperlink is relatively simple. It looks like this: wiseGEEK which will be displayed like this: wiseGEEK. Clicking on this hyperlink will take the web user to the wiseGEEK page. The code is easy to duplicate. It always starts with , then the hyperlinked word, and finally .
A more complicated link can take you to a specific location in a document. It can be text or graphic. It can also be a blank area on a screen that performs functions when clicked. There are numerous uses for the hyperlink and more are being discovered all the time.
Sometimes the use of a hyperlink can be challenged. Some companies don’t want unauthorized sites to link to them, which may imply a relationship that doesn’t exist. In some countries, the use of a hyperlink has become a matter of law.
Also, some have questioned the use of hyperlinks that could lead to illegal material or to a website that links to illegal material. This has been a concern for those trying to remove child pornography from the Internet.
Since most courts have not made any final decisions about hyperlinks, it is best to investigate all links on a page and ask the site owner for permission before using a hyperlink. This could be considered copyright infringement. At a minimum, without stated permission, it is considered inappropriate Internet etiquette to hyperlink to another person’s document or web page.
Hyperlinks that include a URL will direct web users to that web address.
