SEO Dictionary & Marketing Glossary

What is Breadcrumb Navigation?

Navigational technique used to help search engines and website users understand the relationship between pages. Breadcrumb navigation usually appears as a trail of links from the home page to the current page.

SEO and Marketing Terms: Breadcrumb Navigation

Navigational technique used to help search engines and website users understand the relationship between pages. Breadcrumb navigation usually appears as a trail of links from the home page to the current page. It helps users understand where they are in the site hierarchy and helps search engines interpret site structure.

For example, an online shop might display: Home › Clothing › Jackets › Rain Jackets

The earlier items link to broader sections, allowing visitors to explore related products without returning to the home page or using the main menu. This type of breadcrumb shows where a page belongs within the website, rather than recording every page someone visited to reach it.

What can go wrong?

Unclear labels, broken links, or a trail that doesn’t match the site’s organization can confuse visitors. Keep the labels understandable and the links pointed at the appropriate sections. Breadcrumbs supplement the main navigation; visitors should still have other clear ways to explore the site.

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