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Add an HTML link inside the page-level <footer> element. Put the destination in href and use visible text that clearly describes where the link leads.

Basic HTML

Use an anchor element inside a footer:

<footer>
  <a href="https://example.com">Example resource</a>
</footer>

Replace https://example.com with the real destination and replace “Example resource” with a specific label. For a page on your own site, a relative URL such as /about also works:

<footer>
  <a href="/about">About this site</a>
</footer>

Choose the correct footer scope

Whole-page or site footer

Place the link in the footer associated with the document body when it applies to the entire page or website. Common examples include a privacy policy, accessibility statement, copyright notice, or site-wide contact page.

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Article or section footer

A <footer> inside an article or section applies to that nearest sectioning ancestor. Use this placement for information belonging only to that article or section, such as attribution or related documentation.

Write useful link text

  • Name the destination or action, for example Privacy policy or Read the project documentation.
  • Avoid vague labels such as click here or here; they do not explain the destination when links are read out of context.
  • Do not rely on the title attribute for essential information. Its accessibility support and presentation vary between user agents.

Adding the link in a website builder or CMS

Open the editor’s footer area, choose its link control, enter the destination URL, and provide descriptive link text. The exact labels and steps vary by platform, so use the footer or navigation settings specific to your CMS. If the link is intended only for one article, add it to that article’s content or local footer instead of the global footer.

Common mistakes

  • Using href="#": this is not a real destination and can jump the page to the top.
  • Using javascript:void(0): it makes the link depend on JavaScript and can interfere with opening, bookmarking, copying, and keyboard use.
  • Putting a section link in the global footer: this can make unrelated pages display content that does not apply to them.
  • Leaving the example URL unchanged: verify that href points to the intended live page before publishing.
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Complete example

<!doctype html>
<html lang="en">
<body>
  <main>
    <h1>Documentation</h1>
    <p>Page content goes here.</p>
  </main>

  <footer>
    <a href="/privacy">Privacy policy</a>
    <a href="https://example.com">External project documentation</a>
  </footer>
</body>
</html>

After saving, activate each link and confirm that it opens the intended destination. Also check the page with keyboard navigation to ensure the footer links can be reached and identified without relying on surrounding text.

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