Buttons are not links, says Google (SAAS SEO tips)
In the SAAS world web designers like to use a lot of html <buttons> for CTAs. Even when the button is taking the user to another page rather than performing an action. This isn't ideal for SEO because buttons don't pass PageRank; the calculation that Google uses to rank pages in search.
If you're using buttons to take users to a product page or landing page, which itself is an SEO landing page, then you're wasting an internal link. At scale this can be an issue.
Buttons should take users to a sign up form, payment form, to log in, or some other action-related page that isn't a landing page, product or informational page.
Are you using a lot of buttons this way? Share your URL if so.
Trending on Indie Hackers
Do many CMSs actually use a button element?
From the ones I've worked with (Wordpress, Squarespace, HubSpot, Webflow) most call it a "button" but really it's an <a> element that is stylized to look like a button (has a background color, height, width, border radius, etc).
Still good to know, though people using stylized link elements will be fine (plus they stand out more than a text link).
Good point. I only noticed this myself with Wordpress buttons after posting this and checking my own site. I guess it is best practice now to mark them up as links other than for forms or other actions.
Good tip, thank you. Not using buttons for that myself but good to know.