You may have seen many website links that start with https:// or http://. But ever thought what this part actually means? This is called the Internet Address Starter. It’s a small part of the URL; but it’s very important and shows how your browser connects to that website.
In this article, we explain what is an internet address starter, what types are used, how it works, and why it’s needed when you open any link online. We also share some examples and facts that help you understand it better, especially if you’re new to all this.
What is an Internet Address Starter?
You see many websites on the internet start with something like https:// or http://, right? That is called the Internet Address Starter. It is the beginning part of any web address (URL) and it tells your browser how to open the site.
Without the internet address starter, the website link will not open properly in most cases. It is a very important part of any link and also helps with secure loading if it starts with https.
So when you open any website like:
https://google.com
Here the https:// is the internet address starter.
This part shows which type of connection your browser will use — like secure or normal. Most popular sites today use https:// for safety.
Types of Internet Address Starters
There are different types of internet address starters used for different purposes. Each one works in its own way to open a website, download a file, send an email, or open an app. Below we listed some commonly used starters:
| Internet Address Starter | Use |
|---|---|
| http:// | Opens a website without secure connection |
| https:// | Opens a website with secure connection (most used now) |
| ftp:// | Used for downloading or uploading files to a server |
| mailto: | Opens your default email app to send a mail |
| tel: | Used to make a call from mobile device |
| file:// | Opens local files from your own computer |
| data: | Used to load data directly from the URL |
These address starters are automatically added when you copy a full link from your browser. Some are also used by mobile apps or special links like YouTube giveaways or email signups.
If you are browsing normally, the most common you will see is https:// because it is safe and trusted by Google.
Why Internet Address Starter is Important?
Many people ignore the starting part of a website link, but it actually plays a big role. The Internet Address Starter is not just for show — it decides how your browser will open the link and also keeps you safe online.
Here are some key reasons why it’s important:
- Tells your browser how to open the link — whether to load a webpage, send an email, or open an app.
- Security —
https://means the site is secure. If a website is usinghttp://, it is not encrypted and may not be safe. - Google Trust — Google ranks secure websites higher. If your site uses
https://, it can help in SEO and better search ranking. - Mobile Behavior — Some links like
tel:ormailto:are specially used in mobile devices to make calls or send emails directly.
If the internet address starter is missing or incorrect, some browsers may show an error or even block the website.
So whenever you copy or share any website link, make sure it includes the correct starter — especially https:// for safety and trust.
How to Identify Internet Address Starter in Any URL?
Most users browse websites daily, but they don’t always notice the beginning part of a web link. That starting part is known as the Internet Address Starter. It tells your browser or mobile app how to handle the link — whether it should open a web page, send an email, download a file, or launch a phone dialer.
It is always placed at the very beginning of a URL and usually ends with ://. Recognizing it is simple and useful when sharing links, checking for security, or troubleshooting why a link isn’t working.
Step-by-Step: How to Find the Starter
Step 1: Open any website in your browser (Google Chrome, Firefox, Edge, etc.)
Step 2: Click on the address bar to view the full web address
Step 3: Look at the very start of the link — you’ll see something like https://, http://, ftp://, etc.
Step 4: The part before the first colon : is the Internet Address Starter or Protocol
This part of the URL tells your browser what method to use when accessing the link.
| Full URL | Internet Address Starter |
|---|---|
| https://www.google.com | https:// |
| http://example.com/page | http:// |
| mailto:info@example.com | mailto: |
| ftp://server.example.com/file.zip | ftp:// |
| tel:+911234567890 | tel: |
| file:///C:/Documents/file.html | file:// |
| data:text/plain;base64,… | data: |
Each of these starters is used for a different purpose:
https://is for loading a secure websitemailto:opens your email application with the address filled intel:opens the phone dialer if clicked on mobilefile://accesses local files stored on your computerftp://connects to a file server for uploads/downloads
Where You’ll See These Starters
- In browser address bars when visiting websites
- In QR codes or promotional links
- In email links (e.g., “Contact Us” opens
mailto:) - In mobile apps (for actions like calling or downloading)
- In code or backend systems when linking to internal or external resources
Why It’s Important to Identify the Starter
- It helps check whether a link is secure or not
- Prevents link errors when copying or sharing URLs
- Lets users know what action will happen before clicking (website, email, file, etc.)
- Helps understand and troubleshoot broken or incomplete links
- Gives better control when managing links in blogs, social media, or apps
Knowing how to spot the starter part of a URL is helpful for general browsing, content writing, online safety, and digital marketing.
Hidden Facts About Internet Address Starter You Should Know
Many users only know the common https:// or http://, but there’s more going on behind the scenes when it comes to internet address starters. Let’s check out some unique facts and hidden tips that most people don’t talk about.
1. Not All Starters Are for Websites
Most people think a link always opens a webpage, but that’s not true. Some links open apps, some open files, and some even trigger actions without opening anything. For example:
tel:makes a callsms:opens your SMS appintent://opens specific screens inside apps (used in Android)
These are called custom URI schemes and they work like shortcuts.
2. Secure Starters Build User Trust
When users see https:// with a padlock icon, they feel more confident in using the site. It protects passwords, payment info, and browsing activity. That’s why all major brands like Google, Amazon, and banks use https://.
Also, websites with only http:// may show a warning like “Not Secure” in modern browsers. This can reduce trust and lead to fewer clicks.
3. Copying a Link Without the Starter Can Break It
If you copy-paste a URL from a browser or app and forget the starter (like https://), the link might not open properly — especially on social media or inside mobile apps. Always copy the full link including the starter.
4. Developers Can Create Their Own Custom Starters
Apps and software developers can create custom link starters like:
myapp://login– opens the login screen of their appbankpay://scan– opens a QR scanner directly in a banking app
This is called deep linking, and it’s used for better app navigation and user experience.
5. The Starter Also Helps in Speed and Performance
When a site uses https://, it often supports HTTP/2 or HTTP/3, which are newer, faster internet protocols. This means the site loads faster, uses fewer resources, and performs better on mobile networks too.
6. You Can Open Local Files with file://
This is something many people don’t know — you can open documents, HTML files, or even images from your own computer using the file:// starter. For example:
file:///C:/Users/YourName/Desktop/myfile.html
It won’t work on the internet, but it’s useful for local testing or personal projects.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1. What is the Internet Address Starter used for?
The internet address starter is used to tell your browser how to open the link. If it’s a website, it uses http or https. If it’s an email, it uses mailto. Without this starter, the browser may not know what to do with the link.
Q2. What is the difference between http and https?
Both are used for opening websites, but https is secure. It keeps your information safe and is trusted more by users and search engines. http is older and not encrypted.
Q3. Can a website work without the address starter?
Most browsers add it automatically, but when sharing or pasting links, missing the starter can cause errors or prevent the link from working, especially on mobile or apps
Q4. Are there other types of address starters besides http and https?
Yes, there are many:
mailto:for emailtel:for phoneftp:for file transferfile:for local filesdata:for loading data directly in the browser
Q5. Does the starter affect website ranking or security?
Yes. Google prefers https sites and gives them better ranking in search results. Also, browsers show a padlock icon for https to signal safety. Sites with http may show a warning.
Q6. Where can I see the internet address starter on my phone?
You can tap on the browser’s address bar to view the full URL, including the starter. On some phones or apps, it may be hidden for simplicity, but it’s always there in the background.
Q7. What happens if I click a mailto: or tel: link?
If you’re on mobile, it opens your default mail app or dialer. On desktop, mailto: opens your email software. These are special links made to start a specific action.
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