Link Relations
2005-08-26
2023-09-18
Link Relation Types
Specification Required
Mark Nottingham, Julian Reschke, Jan Algermissen
New link relations, along with changes to existing relations, can be requested
using the registry interface or the mailing list defined in .
about
Refers to a resource that is the subject of the link's context.
, section 2
acl
Asserts that the link target provides an access control resource for the link context.
alternate
Refers to a substitute for this context
HTML
amphtml
Used to reference alternative content that uses the AMP profile of the HTML format.
AMP HTML
appendix
Refers to an appendix.
HTML 4.01 Specification
apple-touch-icon
Refers to an icon for the context. Synonym for icon.
Configuring Web Applications
apple-touch-startup-image
Refers to a launch screen for the context.
Configuring Web Applications
archives
Refers to a collection of records, documents, or other
materials of historical interest.
HTML5
author
Refers to the context's author.
HTML
See also 'me'
blocked-by
Identifies the entity that blocks access to a resource
following receipt of a legal demand.
bookmark
Gives a permanent link to use for bookmarking purposes.
HTML
canonical
Designates the preferred version of a resource (the IRI and its contents).
chapter
Refers to a chapter in a collection of resources.
HTML 4.01 Specification
cite-as
Indicates that the link target is preferred over the link context for the purpose of permanent citation.
collection
The target IRI points to a resource which represents the collection resource for the context IRI.
contents
Refers to a table of contents.
HTML 4.01 Specification
convertedfrom
The document linked to was later converted to the
document that contains this link relation. For example, an RFC can
have a link to the Internet-Draft that became the RFC; in that case,
the link relation would be "convertedFrom".
This relation is different than "predecessor-version" in that
"predecessor-version" is for items in a version control system. It
is also different than "previous" in that this relation is used for
converted resources, not those that are part of a sequence of
resources.
copyright
Refers to a copyright statement that applies to the
link's context.
HTML 4.01 Specification
create-form
The target IRI points to a resource where a submission form can be obtained.
current
Refers to a resource containing the most recent
item(s) in a collection of resources.
describedby
Refers to a resource providing information about the
link's context.
Protocol for Web Description Resources (POWDER)
describes
The relationship A 'describes' B asserts that
resource A provides a description of resource B. There are no
constraints on the format or representation of either A or B,
neither are there any further constraints on either resource.
This link relation type is the inverse of the 'describedby'
relation type. While 'describedby' establishes a relation from
the described resource back to the resource that describes it,
'describes' established a relation from the describing resource to
the resource it describes. If B is 'describedby' A, then A
'describes' B.
disclosure
Refers to a list of patent disclosures made with respect to
material for which 'disclosure' relation is specified.
dns-prefetch
Used to indicate an origin that will be used to fetch required
resources for the link context, and that the user agent ought to resolve
as early as possible.
HTML
duplicate
Refers to a resource whose available representations
are byte-for-byte identical with the corresponding representations of
the context IRI.
This relation is for static resources. That is, an HTTP GET
request on any duplicate will return the same representation. It
does not make sense for dynamic or POSTable resources and should not
be used for them.
edit
Refers to a resource that can be used to edit the
link's context.
edit-form
The target IRI points to a resource where a submission form for
editing associated resource can be obtained.
edit-media
Refers to a resource that can be used to edit media
associated with the link's context.
enclosure
Identifies a related resource that is potentially
large and might require special handling.
external
Refers to a resource that is not part of the same site as the current context.
HTML
first
An IRI that refers to the furthest preceding resource
in a series of resources.
This relation type registration did not indicate a
reference. Originally requested by Mark Nottingham in December
2004.
glossary
Refers to a glossary of terms.
HTML 4.01 Specification
help
Refers to context-sensitive help.
HTML
hosts
Refers to a resource hosted by the server indicated by
the link context.
This relation is used in CoRE where links are retrieved as a
"/.well-known/core" resource representation, and is the default
relation type in the CoRE Link Format.
hub
Refers to a hub that enables registration for
notification of updates to the context.
WebSub
This relation type was requested by Brett Slatkin.
icon
Refers to an icon representing the link's context.
HTML
index
Refers to an index.
HTML 4.01 Specification
intervalafter
refers to a resource associated with a time interval that ends before the beginning of the time interval associated with the context resource
Time Ontology in OWL section 4.2.21
intervalbefore
refers to a resource associated with a time interval that begins after the end of the time interval associated with the context resource
Time Ontology in OWL section 4.2.22
intervalcontains
refers to a resource associated with a time interval that begins after the beginning of the time interval associated with the context resource, and ends before the end of the time interval associated with the context resource
Time Ontology in OWL section 4.2.23
intervaldisjoint
refers to a resource associated with a time interval that begins after the end of the time interval associated with the context resource, or ends before the beginning of the time interval associated with the context resource
Time Ontology in OWL section 4.2.24
intervalduring
refers to a resource associated with a time interval that begins before the beginning of the time interval associated with the context resource, and ends after the end of the time interval associated with the context resource
Time Ontology in OWL section 4.2.25
intervalequals
refers to a resource associated with a time interval whose beginning coincides with the beginning of the time interval associated with the context resource, and whose end coincides with the end of the time interval associated with the context resource
Time Ontology in OWL section 4.2.26
intervalfinishedby
refers to a resource associated with a time interval that begins after the beginning of the time interval associated with the context resource, and whose end coincides with the end of the time interval associated with the context resource
Time Ontology in OWL section 4.2.27
intervalfinishes
refers to a resource associated with a time interval that begins before the beginning of the time interval associated with the context resource, and whose end coincides with the end of the time interval associated with the context resource
Time Ontology in OWL section 4.2.28
intervalin
refers to a resource associated with a time interval that begins before or is coincident with the beginning of the time interval associated with the context resource, and ends after or is coincident with the end of the time interval associated with the context resource
Time Ontology in OWL section 4.2.29
intervalmeets
refers to a resource associated with a time interval whose beginning coincides with the end of the time interval associated with the context resource
Time Ontology in OWL section 4.2.30
intervalmetby
refers to a resource associated with a time interval whose end coincides with the beginning of the time interval associated with the context resource
Time Ontology in OWL section 4.2.31
intervaloverlappedby
refers to a resource associated with a time interval that begins before the beginning of the time interval associated with the context resource, and ends after the beginning of the time interval associated with the context resource
Time Ontology in OWL section 4.2.32
intervaloverlaps
refers to a resource associated with a time interval that begins before the end of the time interval associated with the context resource, and ends after the end of the time interval associated with the context resource
Time Ontology in OWL section 4.2.33
intervalstartedby
refers to a resource associated with a time interval whose beginning coincides with the beginning of the time interval associated with the context resource, and ends before the end of the time interval associated with the context resource
Time Ontology in OWL section 4.2.34
intervalstarts
refers to a resource associated with a time interval whose beginning coincides with the beginning of the time interval associated with the context resource, and ends after the end of the time interval associated with the context resource
Time Ontology in OWL section 4.2.35
item
The target IRI points to a resource that is a member of the collection represented by the context IRI.
last
An IRI that refers to the furthest following resource
in a series of resources.
This relation type registration did not indicate a
reference. Originally requested by Mark Nottingham in December
2004.
latest-version
Points to a resource containing the latest (e.g.,
current) version of the context.
license
Refers to a license associated with this context.
For implications of use in HTML, see:
http://www.w3.org/TR/html5/links.html#link-type-license
linkset
The link target of a link with the "linkset" relation
type provides a set of links, including links in which the link
context of the link participates.
lrdd
Refers to further information about the link's context,
expressed as a LRDD ("Link-based Resource Descriptor Document")
resource. See for information about
processing this relation type in host-meta documents. When used
elsewhere, it refers to additional links and other metadata.
Multiple instances indicate additional LRDD resources. LRDD
resources MUST have an "application/xrd+xml" representation, and
MAY have others.
manifest
Links to a manifest file for the context.
Web App Manifest
mask-icon
Refers to a mask that can be applied to the icon for the context.
Creating Pinned Tab Icons
me
Links to a resource about the author of the link's context.
See also 'author'
media-feed
Refers to a feed of personalised media recommendations relevant to the link context.
memento
The Target IRI points to a Memento, a fixed resource that will not change state anymore.
A Memento for an Original Resource is a resource that
encapsulates a prior state of the Original Resource.
micropub
Links to the context's Micropub endpoint.
Micropub
modulepreload
Refers to a module that the user agent is to preemptively fetch and store for use in the current context.
HTML
monitor
Refers to a resource that can be used to monitor changes in an HTTP resource.
monitor-group
Refers to a resource that can be used to monitor changes in a specified group of HTTP resources.
next
Indicates that the link's context is a part of a series, and
that the next in the series is the link target.
HTML
next-archive
Refers to the immediately following archive resource.
nofollow
Indicates that the context’s original author or publisher does not endorse the link target.
HTML
noopener
Indicates that any newly created top-level browsing context which results from following the link will not be an auxiliary browsing context.
HTML
noreferrer
Indicates that no referrer information is to be leaked when following the link.
HTML
opener
Indicates that any newly created top-level browsing context which results from following the link will be an auxiliary browsing context.
HTML
openid2.local_id
Refers to an OpenID Authentication server on which the context relies for an assertion that the end user controls an Identifier.
OpenID Authentication 2.0 - Final
openid2.provider
Refers to a resource which accepts OpenID Authentication protocol messages for the context.
OpenID Authentication 2.0 - Final
original
The Target IRI points to an Original Resource.
An Original Resource is a resource that exists or used to
exist, and for which access to one of its prior states may be
required.
p3pv1
Refers to a P3P privacy policy for the context.
The Platform for Privacy Preferences 1.0 (P3P1.0) Specification
payment
Indicates a resource where payment is accepted.
This relation type registration did not indicate a
reference. Requested by Joshua Kinberg and Robert Sayre. It is
meant as a general way to facilitate acts of payment, and thus
this specification makes no assumptions on the type of payment or
transaction protocol. Examples may include a web page where
donations are accepted or where goods and services are available
for purchase. rel="payment" is not intended to initiate an
automated transaction. In Atom documents, a link element with a
rel="payment" attribute may exist at the feed/channel level and/or
the entry/item level. For example, a rel="payment" link at the
feed/channel level may point to a "tip jar" URI, whereas an entry/
item containing a book review may include a rel="payment" link
that points to the location where the book may be purchased
through an online retailer.
pingback
Gives the address of the pingback resource for the link context.
Pingback 1.0
preconnect
Used to indicate an origin that will be used to fetch required
resources for the link context. Initiating an early connection, which
includes the DNS lookup, TCP handshake, and optional TLS negotiation,
allows the user agent to mask the high latency costs of establishing a
connection.
HTML
predecessor-version
Points to a resource containing the predecessor
version in the version history.
prefetch
The prefetch link relation type is used to identify a resource
that might be required by the next navigation from the link context, and
that the user agent ought to fetch, such that the user agent can deliver a
faster response once the resource is requested in the future.
HTML
preload
Refers to a resource that should be loaded early in the
processing of the link's context, without blocking rendering.
Preload
Additional target attributes establish the detailed fetch properties of the link.
prerender
Used to identify a resource that might be required by the next
navigation from the link context, and that the user agent ought to fetch
and execute, such that the user agent can deliver a faster response once
the resource is requested in the future.
Resource Hints
prev
Indicates that the link's context is a part of a series, and
that the previous in the series is the link target.
HTML
preview
Refers to a resource that provides a preview of the link's context.
, section 3
previous
Refers to the previous resource in an ordered series
of resources. Synonym for "prev".
HTML 4.01 Specification
prev-archive
Refers to the immediately preceding archive resource.
privacy-policy
Refers to a privacy policy associated with the link's context.
, section 4
profile
Identifying that a resource representation conforms
to a certain profile, without affecting the non-profile semantics
of the resource representation.
Profile URIs are primarily intended to be used as
identifiers, and thus clients SHOULD NOT indiscriminately access
profile URIs.
publication
Links to a publication manifest. A manifest represents
structured information about a publication, such as informative metadata,
a list of resources, and a default reading order.
Publication Manifest
related
Identifies a related resource.
restconf
Identifies the root of RESTCONF API as configured on this HTTP server.
The "restconf" relation defines the root of the API defined in RFC8040.
Subsequent revisions of RESTCONF will use alternate relation values to support
protocol versioning.
replies
Identifies a resource that is a reply to the context
of the link.
ruleinput
The resource identified by the link target provides an input value to an
instance of a rule, where the resource which represents the rule instance is
identified by the link context.
OCF Core Optional 2.2.0
search
Refers to a resource that can be used to search through
the link's context and related resources.
OpenSearch
section
Refers to a section in a collection of resources.
HTML 4.01 Specification
self
Conveys an identifier for the link's context.
service
Indicates a URI that can be used to retrieve a
service document.
When used in an Atom document, this relation type specifies
Atom Publishing Protocol service documents by default. Requested
by James Snell.
service-desc
Identifies service description for the context that
is primarily intended for consumption by machines.
service-doc
Identifies service documentation for the context that
is primarily intended for human consumption.
service-meta
Identifies general metadata for the context that is
primarily intended for consumption by machines.
sip-trunking-capability
Refers to a capability set document that defines parameters
or configuration requirements for automated peering and communication-channel
negotiation of the Session Initiation Protocol (SIP).
sponsored
Refers to a resource that is within a context that is
sponsored (such as advertising or another compensation agreement).
Google Blog post 09-2019
start
Refers to the first resource in a collection of
resources.
HTML 4.01 Specification
status
Identifies a resource that represents the context's
status.
stylesheet
Refers to a stylesheet.
HTML
subsection
Refers to a resource serving as a subsection in a
collection of resources.
HTML 4.01 Specification
successor-version
Points to a resource containing the successor version
in the version history.
sunset
Identifies a resource that provides information about
the context's retirement policy.
tag
Gives a tag (identified by the given address) that applies to
the current document.
HTML
terms-of-service
Refers to the terms of service associated with the link's context.
, section 5
timegate
The Target IRI points to a TimeGate for an Original Resource.
A TimeGate for an Original Resource is a resource that is
capable of datetime negotiation to support access to prior states
of the Original Resource.
timemap
The Target IRI points to a TimeMap for an Original Resource.
A TimeMap for an Original Resource is a resource from which
a list of URIs of Mementos of the Original Resource is available.
type
Refers to a resource identifying the abstract semantic type of which the link's context is considered to be an instance.
, section 6
ugc
Refers to a resource that is within a context that is User Generated Content.
Google Blog post 09-2019
up
Refers to a parent document in a hierarchy of
documents.
This relation type registration did not indicate a
reference. Requested by Noah Slater.
version-history
Points to a resource containing the version history
for the context.
via
Identifies a resource that is the source of the
information in the link's context.
webmention
Identifies a target URI that supports the Webmention protocol.
This allows clients that mention a resource in some form of publishing process
to contact that endpoint and inform it that this resource has been mentioned.
Webmention
This is a similar "Linkback" mechanism to the ones of Refback, Trackback, and Pingback.
It uses a different protocol, though, and thus should be discoverable through its own link
relation type.
working-copy
Points to a working copy for this resource.
working-copy-of
Points to the versioned resource from which this
working copy was obtained.