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Original · left

Link (chain)

A single curved loop of forged steel interlocking with others to construct a chain.

First in use: ancient / pre-modern
Duplicate · right

Hyperlink

A clickable digital hypertext reference pointing a web browser to another resource, anchor, or web domain.

First in use: c. 1965

Link / Link (chain) / Hyperlink

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Canonical todayMeasuring…
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Duplicate share · 12 mo—
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Colour keyGrey · original meaningGreen · duplicate meaningAmber · contested (40–60%)How colours work

Chain links vs. Ted Nelson's hypertext.

Which meaning of Link is the original, and which one is the duplicate riding on its name? Link (chain) came first (ancient / pre-modern). Hyperlink arrived in 1965. The data below shows which one owns the word now.

Wikipedia pageviews since 2015

Link (chain)Hyperlink
English Wikipedia pageviews since July 2015 load here.

Duplicate's share of attention

Green line = duplicate's % · above 60 it owns the word · below 40 the original does

Share-of-attention line loads here.

The case for each meaning

Sourced definitions, usage stats and quotes

Original · ancient / pre-modern

Link (chain)

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Duplicate · c. 1965

Hyperlink

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More duplicated terms

Internet & gaming culture