Abstract
This disclosure relates to techniques for interacting with hyperlinks within digital content without triggering navigation to associated resources. In situations where a user intends to copy hyperlink text or a corresponding uniform resource locator (URL), conventional approaches typically require manual text selection, context menu commands, or keyboard modifiers. These approaches often involve multiple input steps and may result in unintended hyperlink activation or inaccurate text selection.
The present disclosure describes a computing system configured to detect a sustained selection of a hyperlink and initiate a drag gesture associated with the selected hyperlink. During the sustained selection and drag gesture, default activation of the hyperlink, including navigation to a linked resource, may be suppressed to maintain the current viewing context. The computing system may detect a particular direction of the drag gesture and, in response, generate at least one user interface (UI) element configured as a selectable target indicating an available action to be performed upon release of the selected hyperlink. The UI element may be overlaid on the digital content or positioned relative to the particular direction to provide contextual visual guidance. In some implementations, a threshold distance may be utilized to ensure the drag gesture is intentional and to distinguish the movement from stationary contact. Upon determining that the drag gesture is in the particular direction and is positioned over the UI element, the computing system identifies the UI element as the selectable target. Responsive to release of the hyperlink over the selectable target, the computing system performs a corresponding action.
For example, the computing system may enable interaction with a selected hyperlink by linking directional drag gestures associated with the selected hyperlink to UI elements indicating corresponding actions, such as copying text, copying the text of a URL, adding the hyperlink to bookmarks, or invoking sharing. When a selection of the hyperlink is dragged in a particular direction (e.g., downward) and released while positioned over a displayed UI element indicating a copy-text action, the computing system copies the visible anchor text of the hyperlink to a clipboard. When the selection of the hyperlink is dragged in another particular direction (e.g., upward) and released while positioned over a corresponding UI element indicating a copy-destination action, the computing system copies a hyperlink destination address. In another instance, dragging the selection of the hyperlink in a first horizontal direction and releasing it while positioned over a presented UI element indicating a bookmarking action causes the computing system to store the hyperlink within a bookmarking or saving interface. In another example, dragging the selection of the hyperlink in a second horizontal direction and releasing it while positioned over another UI element indicating a sharing action causes the computing system to invoke a sharing function or open the hyperlink in an alternate context. Following completion or cancellation of the drag gesture, the contextual overlay including the UI elements is removed, thereby reducing multi-step input and improving interaction efficiency.
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Recommended Citation
Sperl, Christoph, "Copy Link Attributes Using A Single Gesture", Technical Disclosure Commons, (March 16, 2026)
https://www.tdcommons.org/dpubs_series/9532