Difference between anchor tag <a/> and Link tag <Link> in Next.js

In Next.js, the primary difference between the standard HTML anchor tag and the Next.js Link component is how they handle navigation.

Usage Example:
anchor Tag:

<a href="/about">Go to About Page</a>

Link Component:

import Link from 'next/link';

<Link href="/about">
  <a>Go to About Page</a>
</Link>

1. Client-Side Navigation:

anchor Tag: When using a standard anchor tag, the browser performs a full page reload when navigating to a new URL. This means it sends a new HTTP request to the server and fetches the entire page again, leading to slower navigation.
Link Component (Next.js): The Link component provides client-side navigation without a full page reload. It pre-fetches pages in the background (if enabled) and allows for faster transitions _between pages by handling routing on the client side, making it more _efficient for Single Page Applications (SPAs).

2. Routing:

anchor Tag: With an anchor tag, the URL is navigated directly, and the browser handles the routing like a traditional multi-page application.
Link Component (Next.js): The Link component works with Next.js's internal routing system, using the href prop for navigation. It manages routes internally using the Next.js router, which supports features like dynamic routing and query parameters without the need for full page reloads.

3. Preloading Pages:

anchor Tag: Does not offer any preloading capabilities.
Link Component (Next.js): Next.js’s Link component preloads linked pages in the background when they are visible in the viewport, which leads to faster navigation.

4. SEO and Accessibility:

anchor Tag: SEO-friendly by default and provides accessibility for screen readers.
Link Component (Next.js): Also SEO-friendly and accessible, but under the hood, it renders an anchor tag, ensuring that the benefits of HTML remain intact while enhancing navigation behavior.

In summary, you should prefer using the Link component for internal navigation within a Next.js app to take full advantage of client-side routing and performance optimizations