Breadcrumb Navigation

What is breadcrumb navigation?

Breadcrumb navigation is a secondary navigation system that shows users their location within a website’s hierarchy. It displays a trail of links, typically at the top of a page, representing the path from the homepage to the current page. 

This navigation style gets its name from the Hansel and Gretel fairy tale, where the children left breadcrumbs to find their way back home.

Here’s an example of what breadcrumb navigation looks like on a website:

Types of breadcrumb navigation

Different websites require different types of breadcrumb navigation:

1. Location-based breadcrumbs – Perfect for hierarchical websites like:

• E-commerce platforms (Home > Electronics > Cameras)
• Documentation sites (Home > Guides > SEO > Technical SEO)
• Educational portals (Home > Courses > Marketing > Digital Marketing)

2. Attribute-based breadcrumbs – Ideal for filtering-heavy sites:

• Online stores (Home > Clothing > Size M > Color Blue)
• Property websites (Home > Properties > 3 Bedroom > City Center)
• Job boards (Home > Jobs > Full-time > Marketing > Remote)

3. History-based breadcrumbs – Useful for complex web applications:

• Online learning platforms
• Multi-step processes
• Customer support portals

SEO and user benefits of breadcrumb navigation

Breadcrumb navigation enhances both user experience and SEO:

For users:

• Offers a clear indication of the current location on a website. 
• Easy navigation to parent pages. 
• Reduced disorientation.
• Faster site exploration. 

For SEO:

• Improved site structure signals. 
• Enhanced internal linking. 
• Potential rich snippets in search results. 
• Better crawl efficiency. 

Implementation tips for breadcrumb navigation

1. Position breadcrumbs prominently but unobtrusively
2. Use clear visual separation between levels
3. Ensure mobile-friendly display
4. Make links clickable and visible
5. Include current page (unlinked) in the trail

Remember to test your breadcrumb navigation across different devices and screen sizes to ensure consistent functionality and appearance.