Link Component in Next.js

The Link component in Next.js is used for client-side navigation between pages. It improves performance by avoiding full page reloads.

What is the Link Component?

Link is a built-in Next.js component that enables fast, seamless navigation between routes created using the App Router.

import Link from "next/link";

<Link href="/about">Go to About</Link>

Why Use Link Instead of <a>?

Unlike a normal <a> tag, the Link component performs client-side navigation, making transitions faster.

<!-- Normal anchor -->
<a href="/about">About</a>

<!-- Next.js Link -->
<Link href="/about">About</Link>

How Link Works Internally

Next.js prefetches the linked page in the background when the link appears in the viewport. This makes navigation almost instant.

Real World Example

In an e-commerce site, clicking a product link loads the product page instantly without reloading the entire website.

<Link href="/products/123">
  View Product
</Link>

Important Props of Link

The href prop defines the destination route. Additional props like replace and scrollcontrol navigation behavior.

Interview Tip

Always use Link for internal navigation in Next.js to get better performance and prefetching.