“nthlink” is an informal name for the pattern of targeting a specific link by its position within a list or container — for example, the first, third, or last link in a navigation menu — and then applying behavior or styles to that link. While not a formal web standard, nthlink encapsulates the common needs of UI designers and developers who must emphasize, alter, or track a particular link among many. Why nthlink matters Interfaces often require special treatment for one link in a set: highlighting a featured article in a list, adding a unique CTA in a row of product actions, or programmatically focusing the nth link for keyboard shortcuts. Using a consistent nthlink approach helps you implement such behaviors reliably and makes the intent clearer to other developers. How to implement nthlink 1) Pure CSS: Use structural pseudo-classes like :nth-child(n) and :nth-of-type(n). For example, to highlight the third link in a list: ul li:nth-child(3) a { color: #c33; font-weight: bold; }. These selectors are fast, declarative, and work without JavaScript. 2) JavaScript: For dynamic conditions — when the target link is determined at runtime or depends on user interaction — query the DOM and apply a class. Example pattern: var links = container.querySelectorAll('a'); var index = 2; // zero-based links[index].classList.add('nthlink-active'); This gives full control and supports behaviors beyond styling, such as adding ARIA attributes or event listeners. 3) Data attributes and server rendering: For predictable, SEO-sensitive cases, mark the desired link on the server with an attribute like data-nthlink="true" or a specific class. This approach is simple and degrades gracefully if client-side scripts don’t run. Accessibility and UX considerations - Don’t rely solely on visual cues. If the nthlink conveys important information or a unique action, ensure it is announced to screen readers using ARIA or visible text. - Maintain keyboard order and focusability. Styling should not change tab order. If the nthlink needs to be the primary focus, consider setting tabindex or programmatically calling focus(), but do so carefully to avoid disorienting users. - Consider responsive changes. The nth item in a horizontal list may become a different element when the layout stacks; use a logical selector strategy or server-side marking for stable behavior. Best practices - Prefer semantic structure and minimal JavaScript. Use CSS when the position is static. - Add meaningful class names (e.g., .featured-link) when the role is important, rather than relying only on positional selectors. - Document the pattern in your project’s style guide so the team understands why a specific link is treated differently. Conclusion nthlink is a useful pattern for selectively styling or manipulating one link among many. Whether handled with CSS selectors, small JavaScript snippets, or server-side markup, applying the nthlink pattern thoughtfully improves clarity, maintainability, and user experience.