Links do more than move people between pages. The HTML rel attribute describes the relationship between your page and another resource. The value next means: points to the next item in a sequence.
What next means
Points to the next item in a sequence.
Write it as rel="next" on an appropriate <a> or <link> element. Not every relationship is defined for both: the correct element depends on the link type.
Example markup
<!-- Relationship: next -->
<a href="lesson-2.html" rel="next">Next lesson</a>What the browser does
This example uses <a>, which displays a regular link. The visible link text tells readers where it leads; the rel value adds information for browsers, search engines or other software.
Also usable on link elements, but it does not create navigation controls for you.
This relationship value does not automatically restyle the link, change its accessible name or make a new page secure. Navigation and user-facing labels still need deliberate HTML.
When to choose this token
Use next only when the relationship is genuinely true for that destination. If it describes a web resource, make sure that resource exists and serves the right content. For an external URL, do not confuse a relationship hint with permission, security or a redirect.
Small practice task
Create a simple test page with the example. Inspect the resulting element in Developer Tools. Change the target to another sensible file or URL, then explain whether the visible page, a network request, or only the relationship metadata changed.
Common Beginner Mistakes
- Also usable on link elements, but it does not create navigation controls for you.
- Assuming
rel="next"has the same effect on every kind of HTML link. - Adding a relationship token when the destination does not have that relationship.
Key Takeaways
nextmeans points to the next item in a sequence.- Also usable on link elements, but it does not create navigation controls for you.
- Choose a valid link element and test what the browser actually does.