Web/HTML/Link types

In HTML, link types indicate the relationship between two documents, in which one links to the other using an <a>, <area>, <form>, or <link> element.

List of the defined link types and their significance in HTML
Link Type	Description	Allowed in these elements	Not allowed in these elements
`alternate`	If the element is `<link>` and the `rel` attribute also contains the `stylesheet` type, the link defines an alternative style sheet; in that case the `title` attribute must be present and not be the empty string. If the `type` is set to `application/rss+xml` or `application/atom+xml`, the link defines a syndication feed. The first one defined on the page is the default. Otherwise, the link defines an alternative page, of one of these types: for another medium, like a handheld device (if the `media` attribute is set) in another language (if the `hreflang` attribute is set), in another format, such as a PDF (if the `type` attribute is set) a combination of these	`<a>`, `<area>`, `<link>`	`<form>`
`archives` '	Defines a hyperlink to a document that contains an archive link to this one. For example, a blog entry could link to a monthly index page this way. Note: Although recognized, the singular `archive` is incorrect and must be avoided.	`<a>`, `<area>`, `<link>`	`<form>`
`author`	Defines a hyperlink to a page describing the author or providing a way to contact the author. Note: This may be a `mailto:` hyperlink, but this is not recommended on public pages as robot harvesters will quickly lead to a lot of spam sent to the address. In that case, it is better to lead to a page containing a contact form. Although recognized, the `rev` attribute on `<a>`, `<area>` or`<link>` elements with a link type of `made` is incorrect and should be replaced by the `rel` attribute with this link type.	`<a>`, `<area>`, `<link>`	`<form>`
`bookmark`	Indicates that the hyperlink is a permalink for the nearest ancestor `<article>` element. If none, it is a permalink for the section that the element is most closely associated to. This allows for bookmarking a single article in a page containing multiple articles, such as on a monthly summary blog page, or a blog aggregator.	`<a>`, `<area>`	`<link>`, `<form>`
`canonical`	From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia: Canonical_link_element A canonical link element is an HTML element that helps webmasters prevent duplicate content issues by specifying the "canonical" or "preferred" version of a web page as part of search engine optimization.	`<link>`	`<a>`, `<area>`, `<form>`
`dns-prefetch` '	Hints to the browser that a resource is needed, allowing the browser to do a DNS lookup and protocol handshaking before a user clicks the link.	`<link>`	`<a>`, `<area>`, `<form>`
`external`	Indicates that the hyperlink leads to a resource outside the site of the current page; that is, following the link will make the user leave the site.	`<a>`, `<area>`, `<form>`	`<link>`
`first` '	Indicates that the hyperlink leads to the first resource of the sequence the current page is in. Note: Other link types related to linking resources in the same sequence are `last`, `prev`, `next`. Although recognized, the synonyms `begin` and `start` are incorrect and must be avoided.	`<a>`, `<area>`, `<link>`	`<form>`
`help`	If the element is `<a>` or `<area>`, it indicates that the hyperlink leads to a resource giving further help about the parent of the element, and its descendants. If the element is `<link>` it indicates that the hyperlink leads to a resource giving further help about the page as a whole.	`<a>`, `<area>`, `<form>`, `<link>`	None.
`icon`	Defines a resource for representing the page in the user interface, usually an icon (auditory or visual). In the browser, it is usually referred to as the favicon. If there are multiple `<link rel="icon">`s, the browser uses their `media`, `type`, and `sizes` attributes to select the most appropriate icon. If several icons are equally appropriate, the last one is used. If the most appropriate icon is later found to be inappropriate, for example because it uses an unsupported format, the browser proceeds to the next-most appropriate, and so on. Note: Apple's iOS does not use this link type, nor the `sizes` attribute, like others mobile browsers do, to select a webpage icon for Web Clip or a start-up placeholder. Instead it uses the non-standard `apple-touch-icon` and `apple-touch-startup-image` respectively. The `shortcut` link type is often seen before `icon`, but this link type is non-conforming, ignored and web authors must not use it anymore.	`<link>`	`<a>`, `<area>`, `<form>`
`import` '	HTML Imports	`<link>`	`<a>`, `<area>`, `<form>`
`index` Obsolete since HTML5	Indicates that the page is part of a hierarchical structure and that the hyperlink leads to the top level resource of that structure. If one or several `up` link types are also present, the number of these `up` indicates the depth of the current page in the hierarchy.	`<a>`, `<area>`, `<link>`	`<form>`
`last` '	Indicates that the hyperlink leads to the last resource of the sequence the current page is in. Note: Other link types related to linking resources in the same sequence are `first`, `prev`, `next`. Although recognized, the synonym `end` is incorrect and must be avoided.	`<a>`, `<area>`, `<link>`	`<form>`
`license`	Indicates that the hyperlink leads to a document describing the licensing information. If not inside the `<head>` element, the standard doesn't distinguish between a hyperlink applying to a specific part of the document or to the document as a whole. Only the data on the page can indicate this. Note: Although recognized, the synonym `copyright` is incorrect and must be avoided.	`<a>`, `<area>`, `<form>`, `<link>`	None.
`manifest`	Indicates that the linked file is a Web App Manifest.	`<link>`	`<a>`, `<area>`, `<form>`
`modulepreload`	Initiates early (and high-priority) loading of module scripts.	`<link>`	`<a>`, `<area>`, `<form>`
`next`	Indicates that the hyperlink leads to the next resource of the sequence the current page is in. Note: Other link types related to linking resources in the same sequence are `first`, `prev`, `last`.	`<a>`, `<area>`, `<form>`, `<link>`	None.
`nofollow`	Indicates that the linked document is not endorsed by the author of this one, for example if it has no control over it, if it is a bad example or if there is commercial relationship between the two (sold link). This link type may be used by some search engines that use popularity ranking techniques.	`<a>`, `<area>`, `<form>`	`<link>`
`noopener`	Instructs the browser to open the link without granting the new browsing context access to the document that opened it — by not setting the `Window.opener` property on the opened window (it returns `null`). This is especially useful when opening untrusted links, in order to ensure they cannot tamper with the originating document via the `Window.opener` property (see About rel=noopener for more details), while still providing the `Referer` HTTP header (unless `noreferrer` is used as well). Note that when `noopener` is used, nonempty target names other than `_top`, `_self`, and `_parent` are all treated like `_blank` in terms of deciding whether to open a new window/tab.	`<a>`, `<area>`, `<form>`	`<link>`
`noreferrer`	Prevents the browser, when navigating to another page, to send this page address, or any other value, as referrer via the `Referer:` HTTP header. (In Firefox, before Firefox 37, this worked only in links found in pages. Links clicked in the UI, like "Open in a new tab" via the contextual menu, ignored this).	`<a>`, `<area>`, `<form>`	`<link>`
`opener` '	Reverts implicit `rel="noopener"` addition on links with `target="_blank"` (See related HTML spec discussion, WebKit change, and Firefox bug discussion).	`<a>`, `<area>`, `<form>`	`<link>`
`pingback`	Defines an external resource URI to call if one wishes to make a comment or a citation about the webpage. The protocol used to make such a call is defined in the Pingback 1.0 specification. Note: if the `X-Pingback:` HTTP header is also present, it supersedes the `<link>` element with this link type.	`<link>`	`<a>`, `<area>`, `<form>`
`preconnect` '	Provides a hint to the browser suggesting that it open a connection to the linked web site in advance, without disclosing any private information or downloading any content, so that when the link is followed the linked content can be fetched more quickly.	`<link>`	`<a>`, `<area>`, `<form>`
`prefetch`	Suggests that the browser fetch the linked resource in advance, as it is likely to be requested by the user. Starting with Firefox 44, the value of the `crossorigin` attribute is taken into consideration, making it possible to make anonymous prefetches. Note: The Link Prefetch FAQ has details on which links can be prefetched and on alternative methods.	`<link>`	`<a>`, `<area>`, `<form>`
`preload`	Tells the browser to download a resource because this resource will be needed later during the current navigation. See Preloading content with rel="preload" for more details.	`<link>`	`<a>`, `<area>`, `<form>`
`prerender` '	Suggests that the browser fetch the linked resource in advance, and that it also render the prefetched content offscreen so it can be quickly presented to the user once needed.	`<link>`	`<a>`, `<area>`, `<form>`
`prev`	Indicates that the hyperlink leads to the preceding resource of the sequence the current page is in. Note: You can also use the `next` keyword to specify a link to the next page in the sequence. Although recognized, the synonym `previous` is incorrect and must be avoided.	`<a>`, `<area>`, `<link>`, `<form>`	None.
`search`	Indicates that the hyperlink references a document whose interface is specially designed for searching in this document, or site, and its resources. If the `type` attribute is set to `application/opensearchdescription+xml` the resource is an OpenSearch plugin that can be easily added to the interface of some browsers like Firefox or Internet Explorer.	`<a>`, `<area>`, `<link>`, `<form>`	None.
`shortlink`	`shortlink` Specification From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia: URL shortening Some websites create short links to make sharing links via instant messaging easier.	`<link>`	???
`sidebar` ' Obsolete since Gecko 63	Indicates that the hyperlink leads to a resource that would be better suited for a secondary browsing context, like a sidebar. Browsers, that don't have such a context will ignore this keyword. While once part of the HTML specification, this has been removed from the spec and is only implemented by versions of Firefox prior to Firefox 63.	`<a>`, `<area>`, `<link>`	`<form>`
`stylesheet`	Defines an external resource to be used as a stylesheet. If the `type` is not set, the browser should assume it is a `text/css` stylesheet until further inspection. If used in combination with the `alternate` keyword, it defines an alternative style sheet; in that case the `title` attribute must be present and not be the empty string.	`<link>`	`<a>`, `<area>`, `<form>`
`tag`	Indicates that the hyperlink refers to a document describing a tag that applies to this document. Note: This link type should not be set on links to a member of a tag cloud as these do not apply to a single document but to a set of pages.	`<a>`, `<area>`	`<link>`, `<form>`
`up` '	Indicates that the page is part of a hierarchical structure and that the hyperlink leads to the higher level resource of that structure. The number of `up` link types indicates the depth difference between the current page and the linked resource.	`<a>`, `<area>`, `<link>`	`<form>`

Specifications

Specification	Status	Comment
PreloadThe definition of 'preload' in that specification.	Candidate Recommendation	Added `preload`.
Resource HintsThe definition of 'preconnect' in that specification.	Working Draft	Added `dns-prefetch`, `preconnect`, and `prerender` values.
HTML Living StandardThe definition of 'link types' in that specification.	Living Standard	Added `opener` and made `noopener` the default behavior for `target="_blank"` links.
HTML5The definition of 'link types' in that specification.	Recommendation	Added `tag`, `search`, `prefetch`, `noreferrer`, `nofollow`, `icon`, and `author`. Renamed `copyright` to `license`. Removed `start`, `chapter`, `section`, `subsection`, and `appendix`
HTML 4.01 SpecificationThe definition of 'link types' in that specification.	Recommendation	Added `alternate`, `stylesheet`, `start`, `chapter`, `section`, `subsection`, `appendix`, and `bookmark`. Renamed `previous` to `prev`. Removed `top`, and `search`.
UnknownThe definition of '<link>' in that specification.	Obsolete	Added `top`, `contents`, `index`, `glossary`, `copyright`, `next`, `previous`, `help`, and `search`.
RFC 1866: HTML 2.0	Obsolete	Initial definition.

Browser compatibility

Update compatibility data on GitHub

	Desktop						Mobile
	Chrome	Edge	Firefox	Internet Explorer	Opera	Safari	Android webview	Chrome for Android	Firefox for Android	Opera for Android	Safari on iOS	Samsung Internet
`rel`	Chrome Full support 1	Edge Full support 12	Firefox Full support 1	IE Full support Yes	Opera Full support Yes	Safari Full support Yes	WebView Android Full support Yes	Chrome Android Full support Yes	Firefox Android Full support 4	Opera Android Full support Yes	Safari iOS Full support Yes	Samsung Internet Android Full support Yes
Alternative stylesheets.	Chrome No support 1 — 48	Edge ?	Firefox Full support 3	IE Full support 8	Opera Full support Yes	Safari ?	WebView Android ?	Chrome Android ?	Firefox Android Full support 4	Opera Android ?	Safari iOS ?	Samsung Internet Android ?
`dns-prefetch` Experimental'	Chrome Full support 46	Edge Full support ≤79	Firefox Full support 3	IE ?	Opera Full support 33	Safari ?	WebView Android Full support 46	Chrome Android Full support Yes	Firefox Android Full support 4	Opera Android ?	Safari iOS ?	Samsung Internet Android Full support Yes
`icon`	Chrome Full support 4 Notes' Full support 4 Notes' Notes' If both ICO and PNG are available, will use ICO over PNG if ICO has better matching sizes set. (Per caniuse.com.)	Edge Full support 12 Notes' Full support 12 Notes' Notes' In version 79 and later (Blink-based Edge), if both ICO and PNG are available, will use ICO over PNG if ICO has better matching sizes set. (Per caniuse.com.)	Firefox Full support 2	IE Full support 11	Opera Full support 9 Notes' Full support 9 Notes' Notes' In version 15 and later (Blink-based Opera), if both ICO and PNG are available, will use ICO over PNG if ICO has better matching sizes set. (Per caniuse.com.)	Safari Full support 3.1 Notes' Full support 3.1 Notes' Notes' If both ICO and PNG are available, will ALWAYS use ICO file, regardless of sizes set. (Per caniuse.com.)	WebView Android Full support 38	Chrome Android Full support 18	Firefox Android Full support 4	Opera Android No support No	Safari iOS No support No Notes' No support No Notes' Notes' Does not use favicons at all (but may have alternative for bookmarks, etc.). (Per caniuse.com.)	Samsung Internet Android Full support 4.0
`manifest` Experimental'Non-standard'	Chrome No support No	Edge No support No	Firefox ?	IE ?	Opera No support No	Safari ?	WebView Android Full support 39	Chrome Android Full support 39	Firefox Android ?	Opera Android ?	Safari iOS ?	Samsung Internet Android Full support 4.0
`modulepreload` Experimental'	Chrome Full support 66	Edge Full support ≤79	Firefox ?	IE ?	Opera Full support 53	Safari ?	WebView Android Full support 66	Chrome Android Full support 66	Firefox Android ?	Opera Android Full support 47	Safari iOS ?	Samsung Internet Android Full support 9.0
`preconnect` Experimental'	Chrome Full support 46	Edge Full support 79	Firefox Full support 39 Notes' Full support 39 Notes' Notes' Before Firefox 41, it doesn't obey the `crossorigin` attribute.	IE No support No	Opera Full support 33	Safari Full support 11.1	WebView Android Full support 46	Chrome Android Full support 46	Firefox Android Full support 39 Notes' Full support 39 Notes' Notes' Before Firefox 41, it doesn't obey the `crossorigin` attribute.	Opera Android Full support 33	Safari iOS Full support 11.3	Samsung Internet Android Full support 4.0
`prefetch` Experimental'	Chrome Full support 8	Edge Full support 12	Firefox Full support 2	IE Full support 11	Opera Full support 15	Safari No support No	WebView Android Full support 4.4	Chrome Android Full support 18	Firefox Android Full support 4	Opera Android Full support 14	Safari iOS No support No	Samsung Internet Android Full support 1.5
`preload` Experimental'	Chrome Full support 50	Edge Full support ≤79	Firefox No support 56 — 57 Notes' No support 56 — 57 Notes' Notes' Disabled due to various web compatibility issues (e.g. bug 1405761).	IE ?	Opera Full support 37	Safari ?	WebView Android Full support 50	Chrome Android Full support 50	Firefox Android No support 56 — 57 Notes' No support 56 — 57 Notes' Notes' Disabled due to various web compatibility issues (e.g. bug 1405761).	Opera Android ?	Safari iOS ?	Samsung Internet Android Full support 5.0
`prerender` Experimental'	Chrome Full support 13	Edge Full support 79	Firefox No support No	IE Full support 11	Opera Full support 15	Safari No support No	WebView Android Full support 4.4	Chrome Android Full support 18	Firefox Android No support No	Opera Android Full support 14	Safari iOS No support No	Samsung Internet Android Full support 1.5

Legend

Full support: Full support
No support: No support
Compatibility unknown: Compatibility unknown
Experimental. Expect behavior to change in the future.': Experimental. Expect behavior to change in the future.
Non-standard. Expect poor cross-browser support.': Non-standard. Expect poor cross-browser support.
See implementation notes.': See implementation notes.

Link types by Mozilla Contributors is licensed under CC-BY-SA 2.5.