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">