Deep linking

Deep linking is the creation of a hyperlink that links to a specific file within a website, as opposed to the site's main page.

Some commercial sites object to others making deep links into their content, either because it bypasses advertising on their main pages or, like The Wall Street Journal, they charge users for permanently-valid links. Many critics charge that such sites simply want to establish policies that will "license" such links to the highest bidder. They argue that links are a fundamental part of "user-oriented" web browsing.

There is no technical distinction between a so-called "deep" link and any other link.

External link

• American Library Association (http://www.ala.org/alaorg/oif/deeplinking.html) - list of (mostly deep) links to articles about deep linking