Here we go again with terms that are used frequently when talking about tech that not everyone understands.
This week I’ve heard from folks who weren’t sure what the term “URL” meant and another who wasn’t sure what it means when you read “Click on the link.”
So let’s go over the terms. URL is an acronym for Uniform Resource Locator. It’s the way that we identify addresses on the Internet. The address tells your browser where to look for the particular page that you want to view. The Internet isn’t just one big central location where everything is stored. There are millions of servers storing the files that make up those sites in different locations all over the world. The address tells your browser where to go look for them and how to access them.
Just as an address of 1422 Brenton St. Apartment 2B Anywhere, Ohio would tell someone specifically where you lived.
I’m going to go a bit more into detail, but you really don’t need to know anything else other than the fact that URL is a web address if you don’t want to. But I will break it down just a bit more.
URL begin with http or https (which is known as the protocol) then move on to the hostname (for our site that’s http://www.cynmackley.com) and finally end in a file name for the specific item you’re viewing.)
The term link refers to the URL. You’ll often find web addresses included in articles or emails. If you make the address into an active link, readers can just click on it and be taken to the web page mentioned by a browser. It links you to the page without the necessity of copying or typing out the web address.
A link could consist of the full address typed out in an article.
Sometimes links are contained in the text and they’ll have a different color or be underlined.
Sometimes the text will just say, click here and that literally means you can click on the words “click here.”
I hope that helps clear things up.