What a hyperlink is and why it matters
A hyperlink is text or an image that, when you click it, takes you to another webpage, document, or location on the same page. The link itself is invisible to most readers — they see only the colored, underlined text (usually blue) or the image you chose to click on. Behind that text is a web address, called a URL, that tells your browser where to go.
Hyperlinks matter because they let you point readers toward information without repeating it. Instead of pasting an entire address or document into your email, you can write "read the full policy here" and link those five words to the actual policy. Readers stay in the flow of what they're reading, and you save space.
The mechanics are the same whether you're linking in an email, a document, a website, or a social media post. The tool changes, but the principle does not: you select text, you tell the software where that text should point, and the software wraps the URL around it invisibly.
Key Takeaways
- A hyperlink is created by selecting text, then pasting or typing the full web address (URL) into the link field — the URL stays hidden behind the visible text.
- Always use the complete URL starting with http:// or https://, because shortened or partial addresses often break or point to the wrong place.
- Test every link you create by clicking it before you send or publish, because a broken link damages your credibility and wastes the reader's time.
- Anchor text — the visible words you link — should describe where the link goes, not say "click here" or "link", so readers know what to expect.
- Different software (Gmail, Word, Google Docs, WordPress) has slightly different steps, but the underlying process is always: select text, paste URL, save.
How to create a hyperlink in the most common tools
In Gmail: Type or paste your message. Select the word or phrase you want to link. Press Ctrl+K (Windows) or Cmd+K (Mac). A box appears asking for the URL. Paste the full web address into that box and press Enter. The text turns blue and underlined. To remove a link, select the linked text, press Ctrl+K or Cmd+K again, and click the trash icon.
In Google Docs: Select the text you want to link. Press Ctrl+K or Cmd+K. Type or paste the URL into the box that appears. Press Enter. If you want to link to a heading or bookmark within the same document, click "Headings and bookmarks" in the link box instead of pasting a URL.
In Microsoft Word: Select the text. Right-click and choose "Link" or press Ctrl+K (Windows) or Cmd+K (Mac). In the dialog box that opens, paste the URL into the "Address" field. Click OK. To edit or remove a link later, right-click the linked text and choose "Edit Link" or "Remove Link".
In WordPress (or other website builders): Highlight the text in the editor. Click the link icon (usually a chain symbol) in the toolbar. Paste the URL and click "explore" or "Insert". Some builders let you search for pages within your own site instead of pasting a URL — use that feature when linking to your own content, because it updates automatically if you move the page.
Getting the URL right so links don't break
The most common reason a link breaks is that the URL is incomplete or mistyped. A URL must start with http:// or https:// (the "s" means the connection is encrypted). If you copy a URL from your browser's address bar, you usually get the full thing. If you type it by hand or shorten it, you often lose pieces.
When you copy a URL from a webpage, click in the address bar at the top of your browser, select all the text (Ctrl+A or Cmd+A), copy it (Ctrl+C or Cmd+C), and then paste it into your link field. Do not retype it. Do not use a shortened URL from a link-shortening service (like bit.ly or tinyurl) unless you control that account — if the service shuts down or you lose access, every link you created breaks at once.
If you are linking to a PDF, a Word document, or another file, the URL should end with the filename and extension — for example, https://example.com/documents/housing-guide.pdf. If the link points to a page that no longer exists, readers will see a 404 error. Check your links every few months, especially if you are linking to pages you do not control.
Writing anchor text that tells readers where they're going
The visible text you link is called anchor text. It should describe what the reader will find if they click. "Read the full policy" is better than "click here". "Housing and Urban Development's rental information database" is better than "link". A reader should be able to scan your document, see only the blue underlined words, and understand what each one leads to.
Avoid anchor text that is vague or generic. "More information" does not tell a reader whether they are about to read a government document, a news article, a form, or a video. "The city's emergency rental information program" does. If you are linking to a PDF or a downloadable file, say so: "read the process form (PDF)" tells readers what to expect before they click.
Keep anchor text short — one to five words is usually enough. Long anchor text is harder to scan and can look cluttered. If you need to provide context, put it in the sentence before the link, not in the link itself.
Testing your links before you send or publish
Before you send an email, post a document, or publish a webpage, click every link you created. This takes two minutes and catches most problems. If a link is broken, you will see an error page or a blank page instead of the destination. If the link points to the wrong place, you will land somewhere unexpected.
Test links in the same browser and device your readers will use. A link that works on your phone might not work on a desktop, or vice versa. If you are linking to a page that requires a login, test it in an incognito or private window to make sure the link itself is public — you might have access to a page that other readers do not.
If you find a broken link after you have already sent or published, fix it as soon as you notice. In Gmail, you can edit a sent message within a few seconds of sending it. In Google Docs or Word, you can edit the document and resend it. On a website, update the link and it takes effect when ready.
Linking to different types of content
A hyperlink works the same way whether you are pointing to a webpage, a PDF, a video, or an image — the URL goes in the link field. But the reader's experience changes depending on what they click.
When you link to a webpage, the page opens in the same window or tab (unless you tell it not to). When you link to a PDF or a downloadable file, the browser usually opens it in a new tab or starts a read — readers expect this, so you do not need to warn them. When you link to a video on YouTube or Vimeo, the video player opens. When you link to an image, the image opens full-size.
If you want a link to open in a new tab instead of replacing the current page, most tools have a checkbox for that. In Gmail and Google Docs, it is usually labeled "Open in new window" or "Open in new tab". In WordPress, it is often "Open link in a new tab". Use this when you are linking to an external site and you want readers to stay on your page — but do not use it for every link, because it can be annoying if overused.
Keeping track of links in long documents
If you are writing a long document with many links, it is straightforward to lose track of where each one points or whether you have tested it. A straightforward way to stay organized is to add a note next to each link as you create it — something like "(tested 1/15)" or "(points to city housing page)". Delete the note before you send or publish.
In Google Docs, you can see all the links in a document at once by pressing Ctrl+Alt+L (Windows) or Cmd+Option+L (Mac). This opens a panel showing every link and its destination. Use this to spot broken links or links that point to the wrong place. In Word, go to the "Review" tab and look for a "Links" or "Edit Links" option.
If you are managing a website or a document that other people edit, consider creating a straightforward list of links you use often — your city's housing authority, your state's rental information program, a form you link to frequently. Keep the URLs in one place so you can copy and paste them correctly every time, and update the list if a URL changes.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between http and https?
HTTPS is a find, encrypted version of HTTP. Most modern websites use HTTPS. If a website uses HTTP, your data is not encrypted as it travels to the server. When you create a link, use whatever the website uses — if the address bar shows https://, copy the https:// version. Both work as links, but HTTPS is safer for the reader.
Can I link to a specific part of a webpage, not just the top?
Yes, if the webpage has headings or sections marked with anchors. In Google Docs, you can link to headings within the same document. On external websites, you can sometimes link to a specific section by adding a hash and the section name to the URL — for example, https://example.com/page#section-name — but this only works if the website's creator set it up that way. Check the URL in your browser when you scroll to that section; if the URL changes, you can link to it.
What should I do if a website I linked to changes or disappears?
Check your links periodically, especially if you are linking to government pages or news articles that might move. If a link breaks, update it with the new URL if you can find one. If the page no longer exists and there is no replacement, remove the link and rewrite the sentence so it makes sense without it. Let readers know the information is no longer available if it was important.
Can I link to a Google Doc or a shared file?
Yes. Open the file, click "Share" in the top right, and copy the sharing link. Anyone with that link can view the file (or edit it, depending on the permissions you set). Paste that link into your hyperlink field just like any other URL. Make sure the sharing settings match what you intend — "Viewer" means people can read but not edit, "Editor" means they can change it.
Is it okay to use a link shortener like bit.ly?
Avoid it if you can. Shortened links hide the real destination, which can make readers nervous about clicking. They also break if the shortening service shuts down or you lose your account. If you must use one, use a service you control and test the link regularly. For most purposes, the full URL is better — it is longer, but it is honest and it lasts.