What is an External Link Icon?

The external link icon is a small graphic displayed next to links to indicate that clicking on them will take you to a different website or open a file that is not part of the current domain. This icon usually looks like an arrow pointing up and to the right, suggesting movement away from the current page. It is used to inform users that they will be navigating away from the site they are currently on.

An external link is the opposite of an internal link, which is when you link from one page of your website to another page on the same site.

Purpose of Using External Link Icons

External link icons serve several important purposes in digital content and web design. Here are some of them –

1. User Awareness

External link icons inform users that clicking a link will take them away from the current website to an external domain. This clarity helps in managing user expectations and prepares them for a change in the content environment.

2. Security and Trust

By signaling that a link leads to another site, these icons can help build trust. Users are aware that the site is being transparent about directing them to a different domain, which might have different privacy policies and security standards.

3. Better User Experience

These icons improve the user experience by preventing surprise navigations which can be frustrating or disorienting. Knowing in advance helps users decide whether or not to follow a link based on their current engagement with the content.

4. Compliance and Accessibility

For many websites, especially those that offer educational, governmental, or informational resources, using external link icons is part of complying with accessibility standards. It assists users, including those with disabilities, in understanding the function of each link more clearly.

5. Maintaining Session Continuity

By notifying users that they are leaving the site, these icons can help maintain the continuity of the session on the original site. Users might choose to open the external link in a new tab, keeping the original page active.

6. Reduction of Bounce Rate

When users are informed about the nature of the link, they may be more likely to return to the original site after viewing the external content, thereby potentially reducing the bounce rate.

Best Practices for Implementing External Link Icons

Below we have listed some of the best practices and uses of the external link in icon in your website –

1. Consistent Icon Design:

Use the same design for all external link icons on your website to help users quickly recognize them as indicators of external links. Common designs include a small arrow pointing up and to the right or an icon depicting a link breaking, often placed next to the link text.

2. Strategic Placement:

Place the icon in a location where it is easily noticeable without being intrusive. It is typically positioned immediately after the link text or integrated within the link itself to maintain flow and readability.

3. Appropriate Sizing:

The icon should be large enough to be noticeable but not so large as to distract from the main content. It should complement the link text, maintaining balance in terms of size and visibility.

4. Consider Accessibility:

Ensure that the icon and the link are accessible to all users, including those with disabilities. This means providing adequate contrast between the icon and its background, and including alternative text (alt text) for the icon so screen readers can describe them to visually impaired users.

5. Tooltip Implementation:

Adding a tooltip that appears when the user hovers over or focuses on the icon can provide additional context, such as “opens in a new window” or “external link”, enhancing user understanding.

6. Mobile-Friendly Design:

Ensure that external link icons are clearly visible and easily tappable on mobile devices. Responsive design principles should apply to these icons just as they do to other elements of your website.

7. Avoid Overuse:

Only use external link icons where necessary. Overusing them on a page where most links are external can lead to visual clutter and reduce their effectiveness.

8. Testing and Feedback:

Regularly test the implementation of external link icons to ensure they work as expected across different devices and browsers. Collecting feedback from users can also provide insights into how they perceive these icons and whether adjustments are needed.

Examples of External Link Icons in Use

External link icons are widely used on various websites to indicate that a hyperlink will take the user to an external site. Below are some examples of how these icons are employed across different contexts:

1. News Websites:

Platforms like BBC and CNN use external link icons when linking to sources on other websites. This signals to the reader that they are being directed to a different domain for more information.

2. Educational Institutions:

Universities and educational websites often utilize external link icons for links to articles, research papers, and resources on other sites. For example, a university’s department page may link to academic articles or databases and use an external link icon to inform students that they are navigating away from the school’s site.

3. Government Websites:

Government portals apply external link icons when linking to websites outside the government network, such as partner organizations or external services. This practice is vital for maintaining transparency and trust.

4. Blogs and Personal Websites:

Bloggers and content creators use external link icons to point readers to sources, affiliated products, or other websites. This is especially helpful in content marketing and affiliate advertising to signify sponsored links or partnerships.

5. Corporate Websites:

In the corporate sector, external link icons are placed on pages that link to reports, industry news, partner companies, or external applications. For example, a company might include an external link icon next to a link that leads to their LinkedIn profile.

6. E-commerce Sites:

E-commerce platforms use external link icons when linking to manufacturers’ websites, third-party product reviews, or external articles about their products. This helps customers verify product details or read additional reviews, ensuring they make well-informed purchasing decisions.

7. Digital Libraries and Archives:

Digital libraries and archives often feature external link icons for documents or resources that are hosted on external sites. This clarifies for users that they will access content from a different server.

8. Health and Medical Websites:

Health and medical sites frequently link to external sources for studies, clinical trials, or patient resources. External link icons next to these links notify users that they are being directed to another authority’s website, which may have different privacy policies and content standards.

9. Online Forums and Community Boards:

In forums where users can share links and resources, external link icons help differentiate between internal threads and external websites. This is particularly useful in communities like Reddit or specialized forums where linking to external content is frequent.

10. Non-Profit Organizations:

Non-profit organizations often link to external sites for reports, donor information, partnerships, and external articles. Using external link icons aids in maintaining clarity and guiding users effectively as they navigate these resources.

Conclusion

In conclusion, external link icons are a small but important element in web design, ensuring clarity and enhancing user experience by clearly marking links that lead to different websites. These icons serve as a visual cue, informing users that they are about to leave the current site, which helps in managing expectations and maintaining site transparency. Implementing these icons is a best practice in user interface design that supports security, trust, and user-friendliness. Whether it’s on educational platforms, news sites, or e-commerce pages, external link icons play a crucial role in navigating the vast and interconnected digital landscape.

What is an External Link Icon? – FAQs

What is the use of external link icon?

An external link icon is a type of small image that can be placed by a link that directs to an outside site. For the visitor, when they see the icon, they will recognize that the link goes to an external website.

How do I remove external link icon from canvas?

On the page with the link, go into edit mode. Highlight the extra link to be removed. On the Rich Content Editor toolbar, click the broken link icon . Press the Delete key on your keyboard to delete the link.

How do you use external linking?

To use external linking effectively:

1. Choose Relevant Links: Select links that provide additional, valuable information related to the content.
2. Use Clear Anchor Text: Make the link’s purpose clear with descriptive text that indicates what the link is about.
3. Incorporate External Link Icons: Use these icons to alert users that they will be directed to another domain.
4. Open Links in New Tabs: This keeps your site open while users explore linked content, improving user experience.

How do I remove a link symbol?

Use either the unlink or rm commands to remove a symlink (symbolic link). If the command executes correctly, it displays no output. Notice the avoidance of the trailing slash (/) at the end of the symlink name.