Definition: Breadcrumb Navigation

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Breadcrumb navigation” is a type of website navigation that provides users with a visual representation of their current location within a website’s hierarchy. Breadcrumb navigation typically consists of a series of links that reflect the hierarchical structure of a website, starting with the main category or section and ending with the specific page or content the user is currently viewing. For example, if a user is viewing a product page within a clothing retailer’s website, the breadcrumb navigation might display links to the main category (e.g. “Clothing”), the subcategory (e.g. “Men’s Clothing”), and the product page (e.g. “Men’s Shirts”).

Breadcrumb navigation is designed to help users understand the context and location of the content they are viewing, and to provide an easy way to navigate back to previous sections or categories within a website. It is particularly useful for websites with deep or complex hierarchical structures, and it is often considered a best practice for improving the user experience and usability of a website. Breadcrumb navigation can also be beneficial for search engine optimization (SEO) by providing clear and relevant context for each page and improving the structure of a website’s URLs and internal linking.

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