Adding Links in WordPress

Understanding the Importance of Links

A link is a path from one place on the web to another. In WordPress that path can stay on your site, leave your site, jump to a heading on the same page, or open an email draft. Clear links help people move through a task and help search engines see how pages relate.

• Navigation: Visitors can reach the next instruction, related tutorial, or source without guessing the URL.
• Context: Descriptive anchor text tells a reader what the destination is before they click.
• Discovery: Internal links point to related WordPress tutorials and supporting pages so people can continue a task.
• Sources: A careful external link to official documentation can support a claim you are not restating in full.

Links only help when they work and match the surrounding sentence. A vague “click here” or a broken URL wastes a click. The adding images tutorial covers image links in more visual detail.

Types of Links in WordPress

Choose the type that matches the destination.

• Internal links: Point to another page, post, category, or file on the same site. Relative paths such as /wordpress-back-up stay on the current domain.
• External links: Point to a different website. Paste the full address, including https://.
• Outbound links: External links that send the visitor away from your site. Use them for official docs or sources, not for every mention of a brand.
• Anchor links: Jump to a heading or HTML anchor on the same page, such as #adding-links-in-menus.
• Email links: Use mailto:name@example.com so a click opens the visitor’s email app.
• Image and button links: The destination is attached to a media block or button instead of a phrase.

Outbound and external describe the same direction: off your site. Internal links should usually open in the same tab. Save a new tab for a document, form, or external tool the visitor may want to keep beside your page.

Default Permalink

A permalink is the public URL of a post or page. The default “Plain” structure looks like https://www.this_is_your_site.com/?p=325. That address is hard to read and does not describe the page.

You can change the pattern under Settings > Permalinks. Many self-hosted sites use “Post name,” which produces a slug from the title. Official notes are on the WordPress.org Permalinks screen.

Permalink plugins later on this page can change individual slugs. They are optional and can conflict if two plugins rewrite the same URLs.

How to Add Links in WordPress

Most links start in the editor. Highlight text or select an image, open the link control, enter or search for a destination, then save the post. The same idea appears in widgets and menus, but the screen path depends on the theme.

Keyboard shortcut in the block editor: select the text and press Ctrl+K (Windows) or ⌘+K (Mac). You can also paste a copied URL onto selected text to turn that text into a link.

Adding Links to Posts and Pages

These steps work in the Classic Editor and in any editor that still shows a chain-link icon on a text toolbar.

1. Go to Posts or Pages and open the item you want to edit.
2. Highlight the words that should become the link. Prefer a short description of the destination, not “click here.”
3. Select the link icon in the toolbar.
4. Paste the URL, or type a title to search published content on your site.
5. Open the extra settings if you need the link to open in a new tab. Leave that off for ordinary internal pages.
6. Apply the link, then select Update or Publish.

Decide first whether the content should be a post or a page with the posts versus pages guide.

Adding Links in the WordPress Block Editor (Gutenberg)

Current WordPress uses the block editor for most posts and pages. The post formatting tutorial covers blocks if the toolbar is new to you.

1. Sign in and open the post or page from the WordPress Dashboard.
2. Click the paragraph, heading, or list item that contains the text.
3. Highlight the anchor text.
4. Select the link icon in the block toolbar, or press Ctrl+K / ⌘+K.
5. Search for a published page or paste a full URL.
6. Open the link options if you need a new tab.
7. Press Enter or select the apply control.
8. Update or publish, then preview the front end.

To edit a link later, click the linked text, choose the pencil icon, change the URL or label, and save. The unlink icon removes the destination and leaves the words in place.

Adding Links to Images

An Image block can send visitors to a page, file, or external URL. That is separate from the image’s alt text.

1. Insert or select the image. Upload and library steps are in the adding images tutorial.
2. Open the link control in the image toolbar, or use the link setting in the block sidebar.
3. Choose a custom URL, the media file, or an attachment page. Use a custom URL when the picture should open another page.
4. Add a new-tab setting only if that behavior helps the task.
5. Update the post and click the image on the front end.

Adding Links in Widgets

Widget screens depend on the theme. Classic themes still use Appearance > Widgets. Many block themes hide that screen and put footer or sidebar links in Appearance > Editor. The widgets tutorial explains both layouts.

1. Go to Appearance > Widgets if that menu exists.
2. Open the sidebar or footer area.
3. Add a Paragraph, List, or Navigation block, or a Text / Custom HTML widget on older screens.
4. Highlight the text and add the URL the same way you do in a post.
5. Save the widget area and view the front end.

On a block theme, edit the header or footer template part instead and use a Navigation or Paragraph block there.

Adding Links in Menus

Menus are for important destinations, not every article on the site. Classic themes use Appearance > Menus. Block themes use a Navigation block in Appearance > Editor.

Classic menu screen

1. Go to Appearance > Menus.
2. Create a menu or select an existing one.
3. Add pages, posts, or categories from the left panels, or use Custom Links for any URL and label.
4. Drag items into order. Nest an item to the right to make a submenu if the theme supports it.
5. Assign the menu to a theme location and select Save Menu.

Block theme Navigation

1. Go to Appearance > Editor.
2. Open the header or the template that contains the menu.
3. Select the Navigation block.
4. Add a page, post, or custom link.
5. Save the template and preview a page that uses it.

More menu options are in the custom menu tutorial.

Best Practices for Adding Links in WordPress

Effective WordPress links should help visitors find relevant information, explain how pages relate to one another, and create a clear path through your website. Use descriptive anchor text, logical internal links, reliable external sources, accessible formatting, and stable URLs so people and search engines can understand each link’s purpose.

• Use descriptive anchor text: Replace “click here,” “read more,” or “this page” with wording such as “WordPress backup instructions” or “how to format WordPress posts.”
• Link to closely related internal pages: Point to a tutorial or service page that answers the next question. Start from the WordPress tutorial index when you need a related guide.
• Place links in useful context: Put the link inside the sentence that explains why the destination matters. Avoid unexplained URL dumps.
• Keep the page focused: Clear headings make it obvious what you are linking from. See WordPress post-formatting techniques.
• Choose readable, stable URLs: Prefer short slugs. If an established URL must change, add a redirect and update internal links.
• Check links before and after publishing: Confirm the destination loads and is the intended page. Larger sites can compare tools in this WordPress SEO and broken-link plugins article.
• Use external links selectively: Link to official documentation or a primary source. Skip low-quality or unrelated pages.
• Apply link attributes correctly: Use rel="sponsored" for paid or affiliate links and rel="ugc" for comment or forum links. Do not mark every external link nofollow by default.
• Avoid opening every link in a new tab: Keep ordinary internal navigation in the same window.
• Create accessible links: The linked words should make sense on their own. Do not rely on color alone. Make tap targets usable on a phone.
• Use menus for core pages: Put Home, Contact, and key sections in the menu. See how to create and manage WordPress custom menus.
• Preserve links during redesigns: Map old URLs to new ones. A website migration checklist helps before a move.
• Avoid repetitive linking: Do not link the same phrase five times in one section.
• Review the reader’s next step: Link to prerequisites, troubleshooting, and related articles from the RSH Web Services blog index when they support the task.

WordPress Permalinks Plugins

WordPress can change the site-wide permalink pattern without a plugin. Use a plugin only when you need a per-item slug, character cleanup, or a shop-specific URL. Install one tool, not several that rewrite the same addresses. Use the installing plugins tutorial for dashboard steps, and back up first.

Permalink Manager Lite

Permalink Manager lets you customize the complete URL addresses of your posts, pages, custom post types, terms, and WooCommerce links with ease. By Maciej Bis

Remove Special Characters From Permalinks

Removes special characters from permalinks. By WPFactory

Cyrillic Permalinks

Automatically transliterates Cyrillic letters in post and page permalinks to their Latin phonetic equivalent. Multi-language. By Petko Bossakov

Custom Permalink Editor

Set Custom Permalink Editor on a per-post, per-tag per-page, and per-category basis. By Team KCG

Disable Media Permalink

Completely disable the Media Permalink generated by WP. By Hardweb.it

External Permalinks Redux

Allows you to point WordPress objects (posts, pages, custom post types) to a URL of your choosing. By Erick Hitter & Oomph, Inc.

Custom Permalinks

Set custom permalinks on a per-post, per-tag or per-category basis. By Sami Ahmed Siddiqui

Longer Permalinks

Allow long permalinks in your WordPress. Useful especially for using non-latin characters in permalinks. By Giannis Economou

WP Better Permalinks

Set custom friendly permalinks structure instead of default WordPress structure. By Mateusz Gbiorczyk

Automatically Update Permalinks

Automatically updates the permalink (slug) of a post or page when its title is changed. By WP Zone

Permalink Manager for WooCommerce

Premmerce Permalink Manager for WooCommerce allows you to change WooCommerce permalink and remove product and product_category slugs from the URL. By Premmerce

WordPress Resources and Links

Developers WordPress.org
Explore WordPress development with our comprehensive guides and resources. Learn to create themes, plugins, and optimize your site

Widgets WordPress.org
Discover WordPress widgets to customize your site’s layout easily! Add functionality and content in sidebars and footers without coding

Codex WordPress.org
Explore the WordPress Codex for comprehensive documentation and tutorials. Find guides on themes, plugins, and customization to help you master WordPress

Online Courses WordPress.org
Explore free WordPress courses designed for all skill levels! Learn about themes, plugins, and site management through structured lessons to boost your skills and create stunning websites

Community WordPress.org
Join the WordPress community! Collaborate with passionate contributors, share ideas, and help shape the future of WordPress. Get involved in events, discussions, and projects today

WordPress Resources RSHWeb.com
RSH Web Services complete WordPress resources. Our blog helps you find WordPress Resources like optimize your site, improve performance, and master all things WordPress

Security WordPress.org
Discover WordPress Security best practices to protect your site. Learn about updates, secure hosting, and essential plugins to keep your content safe from threats

Themes WordPress.org
Browse thousands of free WordPress themes to customize your site’s look. Find the perfect design for your blog, business, or portfolio, and enhance your site’s functionality

Plugins WordPress.org
Unlock your site's potential with thousands of free WordPress plugins! Enhance functionality, improve performance, and add features easily. Explore, install, and elevate your website

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is my WordPress link not clickable after I publish the page?

A link may not work if the URL is incomplete, the linked text was not selected correctly, or the editor did not save the change. Reopen the post or page, select the anchor text, verify the full destination URL, and update the page. Also test the link in a private browser window to rule out cached content or editor permissions.

Should internal WordPress links use full URLs or relative URLs?

Both formats can work, but relative URLs such as /wordpress-back-up are useful for internal links because they remain tied to the same domain. Full URLs are often easier to copy between systems and feeds. Whichever format you choose, use it consistently and confirm links remain valid during domain changes or a website migration.

When should a WordPress link open in a new tab?

Opening a new tab can be helpful for external references, downloadable documents, forms, or tools visitors may want to compare while keeping the original page open. Most internal navigation should open in the same tab for a predictable browsing experience. Use new tabs selectively, especially when adding destinations to a WordPress custom menu.

What is the difference between nofollow, sponsored, and ugc link attributes?

The rel="sponsored" attribute identifies advertising, affiliate, or other compensated links. The rel="ugc" attribute is intended for links added through comments, forums, and other user-generated content. rel="nofollow" may be used when you do not want to endorse or associate your website with a destination. These attributes can also be combined when appropriate.

How can I find and repair broken links in WordPress?

You can test links manually, use a site-crawling service, or install a reputable broken-link or site-management plugin. Correct mistyped URLs, replace outdated resources, and redirect moved internal pages to their new locations. Before installing another tool, compare its features with established WordPress site management plugins and create a WordPress backup.

Do I need a paid plugin to add or manage links in WordPress?

No. The WordPress block editor includes built-in controls for linking text, images, buttons, posts, pages, and other content. Paid plugins may help with automatic internal-link suggestions, redirect management, reporting, or large-scale link audits, but they are optional. Avoid adding unnecessary plugins, since excessive or poorly maintained extensions are among the common WordPress mistakes.

Why does WordPress change or remove part of a URL I entered?

WordPress may alter a link when quotation marks, spaces, unsupported characters, copied formatting, or an invalid protocol are included. Paste the address as plain text, confirm it begins with https:// when linking externally, and check the HTML view for malformed markup. After correcting it, preview the page and test the destination on desktop and mobile. Additional guidance is available in the RSH Web Services article library.

How do I add a link to a heading on the same page?

Give the heading an HTML anchor in the block’s Advanced settings, then link to that name with a leading hash, such as #adding-links-in-menus. Many block themes also create anchors from heading text. Preview the jump on the front end; editor preview and the public page can differ if the theme changes heading markup.

Will changing Settings > Permalinks break my existing links?

It can. A site that already uses ?p=123 addresses will expose new slugs after you save a different structure. Back up first, change the setting once, then test bookmarked and internal URLs. Add redirects for any important address that does not move automatically.

Why is Appearance > Menus missing on my site?

Block themes often replace that screen with the Site Editor. Go to Appearance > Editor, open the header, and edit the Navigation block. Classic themes still use Appearance > Menus. If both are missing, your role may not include menu management.

Summary

Adding a link in WordPress is a short sequence: select the text or image, open the link control, enter or search for the destination, apply the link, then update and click it on the front end. Widgets and menus use the same URL, with a different screen for classic themes and block themes.

Descriptive anchor text, working destinations, and a stable permalink pattern matter more than the number of links on the page. Start from the WordPress tutorial index for the next related task.

Also see: Using WordPress To Build A Website

Installation with cPanel and Softaculous. WordPress Themes. Changing Themes. Plugins, Creating New Pages. Appearance, Step by step guide, more

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Author Bio: Mira Calden

A WordPress wizard with over eighteen years of experience designing, optimizing, and troubleshooting sites on the world’s favorite CMS WordPress....

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