What is footer?

A footer is the section that appears at the very bottom of a web page. It is separate from the main content and usually contains information that is useful across the whole site, such as copyright notices, contact details, quick navigation links, and legal policies.

Let's break it down

  • Location: It sits below the main content, after the header and body.
  • Common elements: Copyright text, site map links, social media icons, contact info, privacy policy, terms of service, and sometimes a short about‑us blurb.
  • Design: Usually styled with a different background color or smaller text to set it apart from the rest of the page.
  • HTML structure: Implemented with the <footer> tag, which tells browsers and assistive technologies that this area is the page’s footer.

Why does it matter?

A footer gives visitors easy access to important information without cluttering the main content. It helps with navigation, builds trust by showing legal details, and can improve search‑engine optimization (SEO) because search engines look for structured data often placed in footers.

Where is it used?

Footers are found on almost every website, from blogs and e‑commerce stores to corporate sites and government portals. They also appear in web‑based applications, email newsletters, and sometimes in mobile app screens that mimic a web layout.

Good things about it

  • Provides consistent navigation links across all pages.
  • Holds legal and copyright information in one place.
  • Improves user experience by offering quick access to contact details and social media.
  • Helps with SEO when structured data or sitemap links are included.
  • Easy to style and update globally, so changes appear on every page at once.

Not-so-good things

  • If overloaded with too many links or text, it can look cluttered and overwhelm users.
  • Poorly designed footers may be hidden on small screens or ignored by visitors.
  • Overuse of large images or heavy scripts in the footer can slow page load times.
  • Some users never scroll down far enough to see it, reducing its effectiveness for important messages.