SEO Glossary: Breadcrumb Navigation

What is breadcrumb navigation?

The term breadcrumb means something like breadcrumbs. If a user is on a subpage, the breadcrumb navigation is displayed at the top. This makes it easier for them to find their way around. With just one click, they can return to the homepage or another level of the portal.

 

Visitors can also see which pages they have previously visited. The breadcrumb navigation is always structured hierarchically. It displays all pages between the homepage and the currently open page in a kind of structure tree.

 

 

What are the advantages of breadcrumb navigation?

 

In terms of user-friendliness, breadcrumb navigation has a number of advantages:

 

• The navigation is generally located directly above the actual page content. This allows website visitors to move and navigate within the page hierarchy with just one click.

 

• The breadcrumb navigation tells users where they are currently located. It therefore represents user help and navigation in one.

 

• If a visitor lands via the SERPs on a subpage, they can find their way around immediately thanks to the breadcrumb navigation.

 

• Website operators can add a breadcrumb navigation with just a few clicks so that it is available immediately

 

• In terms of search engine optimization breadcrumbs are a very good navigation aid. For this reason, they can help to positively influence the ranking.

 

Where is breadcrumb navigation used?

Large websites and portals with a complicated hierarchical structure in particular benefit from using breadcrumb navigation. The same applies to online stores, where customers and interested parties can find their way around the category and product selection more easily.

 

Tip: If webmasters want to install a breadcrumb navigation, it is advisable to first take a look at the hierarchy. Breadcrumb navigation only really makes sense if it is logical.

 

 

How is Breadrumb Navigation installed?

 

There are various options for installing a breadcrumb navigation:

 

• Plug-ins: Users of a CMS install a corresponding plug-in, which is responsible for creating breadcrumbs. Further settings such as the appearance are also possible here.

 

• PHP: In PHP, it is also possible to integrate individual code parts with scripts. These are integrated into the source code and output at the desired location. The process is similar with JavaScript.

 

• HTML: Breadcrumb navigations are also possible for pure HTML pages. These are summarized in a list using DIV tags. The design is defined in the CSS file.