What is use of rel Attribute in HTML ?

The “rel” attribute in HTML is used to define the relationship between the current document and the linked document or resource specified by the <a> (anchor) tag or the <link> tag. It provides additional context or metadata about the linked resource, aiding in navigation, search engine optimization, and accessibility.

Syntax

<a href="URL" rel="relationship_type">Link Text</a>
<link rel="relationship_type" href="stylesheet.css">

Key Point	Description
Relationship Type	The value of the “rel” attribute specifies the type of relationship between the current document and the linked resource.
Common Values	Common values for the “rel” attribute include “stylesheet”, “icon”, “nofollow”, “canonical”, “prev”, “next”, and “alternate”.
Link Types	The “rel” attribute is commonly used in anchor tags <a> and link tags <link> to specify relationships between documents, stylesheets, icons, and alternate versions of content.
SEO and Accessibility	Properly defining relationships with the “rel” attribute can improve search engine rankings, enhance accessibility, and provide better user experience.

Features

• Defining Relationships: Specify the relationship between the current document and the linked resource using the “rel” attribute

<a href="https://example.com/page2" rel="next">Next Page</a>

• Linking Stylesheets: Use the “rel” attribute to link external stylesheets to the HTML document

<link rel="stylesheet" href="styles.css">

• SEO Optimization: Utilize specific “rel” attribute values such as “canonical” to indicate the preferred version of a page for search engines.

<link rel="canonical" href="https://example.com/page">