How to Create a Direct Link

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Direct links are used to point people to an image, video or web page file located on another website. Using a direct link can be good and bad. People don't have to type in the website you are linking to manually. When you place an image to your website as a direct link, the image looks like part of your web page, although it's actually pointing to a different web server. This makes it easy for affiliates to add direct links directly to the website they are promoting.

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On the other hand, hotlinking (direct links pointing to someone else's web server files without their permission) is considered bandwidth theft, according to Atlab.com. When you use another website's bandwidth--data transmitted over the Internet--the site's operators have to pay for the bandwidth you're using.

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Step 1

Go to the website that contains the direct link you want to use and copy the web address from the address bar.

Step 2

Open your web page document using an HTML editor and scroll to the area you want add a link to. Switch to HTML view if you are using a website editor.

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Step 3

Follow the remaining steps below.

Step 1

Add the following direct link to your HTML code:

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Step 2

Replace the web address (http://www.somewheresite.com/images/imagefile.jpg) with the one you copied from the website you want to link to.

Step 3

Save your file and preview it in the web browser. Your image will link directly to the web address you added.

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Step 1

Add the following direct link to your HTML code:

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Click here to view video

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Step 2

Replace the web address with the correct website video link.

Step 3

Save your file and preview it in the browser. Click on your video link to test it.

Step 1

Add the following direct link to your HTML code:

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The Web Page or Affiliate Website Name Goes Here

Step 2

Replace the website address with the correct link. Note: If you signed up as an affiliate, find and use your affiliate website code. Most affiliate sites, such as Amazon and iTunes, have direct link generators for their affiliates.

Step 3

Save your file, preview it in your web browser and test that the link works.

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