Next.js Link vs Anchor Tag: The Ultimate Guide to Fast Navigation

Choosing the right navigation method in Next.js has a direct impact on application performance and user experience. The <Link> component is the recommended approach for internal navigation, while the standard <a> tag should be reserved exclusively for external links.

#Understanding the Core Differences

#Client-Side vs Server-Side Navigation

The fundamental difference lies in how each handles navigation. The <Link> component enables client-side navigation without full-page reloads, thereby maintaining the single-page application experience. In contrast, the <a> tag triggers a complete server round-trip, re-fetching the entire page and destroying all client-side state.

#Automatic Prefetching Magic

Next.js automatically prefetches pages linked with <Link> when they appear in the viewport, loading them in the background for instant navigation. This prefetching can reduce perceived navigation time by up to 50%, creating a seamless user experience. Anchor tags lack any prefetching capability.

In production, Next.js prefetches the entire page when no loading.jsx/tsx exists, or prefetches up to the first loading boundary when one is present. The client cache TTL varies accordingly—cached until app reload or for 30 seconds (configurable), respectively.

# Advanced Link Component Features

#Dynamic Route Navigation

Template literals make linking to dynamic segments straightforward:

#Active Link Styling

Combine usePathname() with <Link> to highlight active navigation items:

#Replace Instead of Push

Control browser history by using the replace prop to prevent adding new entries to the history stack:

When replace={true}, clicking the browser's back button skips the replaced page entirely.

#Scroll Control

The <Link> component scrolls to the top of new pages by default. Disable this behavior when needed:

#Query Parameters

Pass query parameters using an object syntax:

#Performance Optimization Strategies

#Disabling Prefetch

Control prefetching behavior for resource optimization:

Automatic prefetching only runs in production mode. Setting prefetch={false} prevents background loading until the user clicks.

#Hover-Triggered Prefetching

Implement custom prefetch behavior for fine-grained control:

This pattern defers prefetching until the user shows intent by hovering, balancing performance with resource consumption.

#Manual Prefetching

Programmatically prefetch routes outside the viewport or based on user behavior:

#When to Use Each Approach

Use <Link> for:

Use <a> for:

#SEO and Accessibility

Both approaches remain SEO-friendly since <Link> renders as an <a> tag under the hood, ensuring search engine crawlers can follow links properly. The component maintains accessibility standards while delivering superior performance.

#The Performance Impact

The performance difference is substantial—<Link> components eliminate network requests for already-loaded assets and maintain the JavaScript runtime, creating responsiveness comparable to native applications. State preservation during navigation means forms, scroll positions, and component data persist across route changes.