An Ode to Links

A URL is a technical thing: a hostname, a path, a port, an origin, some query parameters, etc.

But a link is a cultural thing: an invitation, a citation, a gift, a shortcut, a connection.

All from a simple idea: here’s a thing that points to another thing, off you go!

We’ve built an entire culture around links. Just look at the language we use for them:

• “Drop me a link.”
• “Send me the link.”
• “Got a link?”
• “Link in bio.”
• “Link in the description.”
• “Here’s the link.”
• “Don’t click that link.”
• “Sorry, wrong link.”

Or even just, “Link?”

Our language spans the spectrum of meaning, from one end to the other:

• We save links. We lose links.
• We share links. We hide links.
• We send links. We receive links.
• We collect links. We discard links.
• We open links. We close links.
• We add links. We remove links.
• We make links. We break links.
• We shorten links. We expand links.
• We follow links. We ignore links.
• We click links. We don’t click links.
• We link in. We link out.

We make links. Links make the web. The web makes Us.