Examining the performance and preference of embedded and framed/non-framed hyperlinks

Abstract This study examined the placement of hyperlinks in four locations on a web page for user performance and preference. The hyperlink placements consisted of (1) hyperlinks embedded (Embedded) within a document; (2) hyperlinks embedded within a document and placed adjacent to the left side and at the same height as the corresponding embedded hyperlinks (Left-Embedded) of the associative document; (3) hyperlinks placed at the top-left (Top-Left) of a document; and (4) hyperlinks placed within a vertical frame (Frame) to the left of a document. Participants using the Left-Embedded condition had faster search times than the Top-Left condition. Participants also perceived the Left-Embedded and Frame conditions as easier to navigate and to find information compared to the Top-Left condition. The Left-Embedded condition also was perceived as promoting higher levels of comprehension than the Top-Left condition. Overall, the Left-Embedded condition was most preferred and Top-Left condition was the least preferred. Relevance to industry This study is relevant to industry in that it provides empirical data suggesting where hyperlinks should be placed within common, hypertext-supported documents. Unfortunately, today system designers have to largely rely on their own experiences when configuring the layout of hypertext documents. This often leads to inefficient layouts, which may result in an overall decrease in search efficiency and user satisfaction. This study is one step in the process of providing the information needed to make layouts more useful and efficient.