Page 37 - GIGW2

Guidelines

for Indian Government Apps & Websites

Sample Hyperlinking Policy

“We do not object to you linking directly to the information that is hosted
on our site and no prior permission is required for the same. However, we
would like you to inform us about any links provided to our site so that
you can be informed of any changes or updations therein. Also, we do not
permit our pages to be loaded into frames on your site. Our Department’s
pages must load into a newly opened browser window of the user”.

3.2.4 In case Prior permission is required by anyone who wishes to provide a link to a
Government website, the policy statement may be worded as follows:

Sample of alternate Hyperlinking Policy

“Prior permission is required before hyperlinks are directed from any
website to this site. Permission for the same, stating the nature of the
content on the pages from where the link has to be given and the exact
language of the Hyperlink should be obtained by sending a request at
(Email address of the Department)”.

3.2.5 Many a times, cross linkages between different websites can cause ambiguity
in the mind of the visitors about the owner of a particular portion of content
and whom to be contacted in case of any query. Also, many a times, there
could be a difference in the security domains of two linked websites. Hence,
it is important to notify the visitors when they are leaving a particular website
through a hyperlink and entering another one. Clear indications MUST
be given when leaving the Government website for an external website.

Sample of indication of leaving the Government Website

“This link shall take you to a page outside the (website URL). For any query
regarding the contents of the linked page, please contact the webmaster of
the concerned website”.

3.2.6 To create a visual distinction for links that lead offsite, Cascading Style Sheets
(CSS) controls or some such similar mechanism should be used. In case the
link takes the user to another website of the same Department/Ministry/State, a
seamless transition should be used through appropriate CSS controls.

3.2.7 Third party content should only be linked when consideration about the
copyright, terms of use, permissions, content authenticity and other legal and
ethical aspects of the concerned content have been taken into account.

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