The links in Google’s Search Engine Results Pages (SERP) are typically blue in color because this color was chosen by the founders of Google, Larry Page and Sergey Brin, when they were designing the first version of the search engine in the late 1990s.
At the time, blue was chosen as the default color for links because it provided a high level of contrast with the other colors on the page, making it easy for users to distinguish clickable links from other text on the page.
Additionally, blue was a common color used for hyperlinks on the web at that time, so it was a familiar choice for users. Over time, the color blue has become associated with links on the web, and many websites and search engines, including Google, Bing continue to use blue as the default color for hyperlinks. However, some websites and designers may choose to use different colors for links in order to match the site’s branding or to create a more unique visual experience for users.
There is no universal standard for the color of hyperlinks on the web, and different websites and designers may choose to use different colors based on their individual preferences or branding. However, some colors are more commonly used than others, and certain colors have become associated with specific types of links or actions.
For example, in addition to blue other colors such as purple, green, and red are also frequently used. In some cases, different colors may be used to indicate different types of links, such as blue for standard links, red for links that lead to external sites, and green for links that indicate positive actions or confirmation.
In addition, there are accessibility guidelines that recommend using high-contrast colors for text and links, particularly for users with visual impairments. It’s important for websites to consider the needs of all users when choosing colors for links and other elements on the page.
The World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) is the main organization that recommends accessibility guidelines for the web. The W3C is an international community that develops web standards and guidelines, including the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG).
WCAG is a set of guidelines for making web content more accessible to people with disabilities, including visual, auditory, physical, speech, cognitive, and neurological disabilities. The guidelines provide specific recommendations for making web content perceivable, operable, understandable, and robust, and are organized into three levels of conformance: A, AA, and AAA.
While World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) does not recommend a specific color for hyperlinks, but it does provide guidelines for ensuring that text and links are easily distinguishable from other content on the page.
The WCAG guidelines recommend using a color contrast ratio of at least 4.5:1 for normal text and 3:1 for large text, and also provide guidance on the contrast ratio for other elements, such as links and headings. The focus of the WCAG guidelines is on ensuring that all users, including those with visual impairments, are able to perceive and interact with web content in a way that is accessible and inclusive. And blue colour perfectly fits the criteria for accessiblity and inclusiveness.
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