Perfectly Reasonable Question No. 3: On Web Links and Vulgarity

A reader, Susie Reiss, wonders about the practice of inserting links in the online version of articles, finding it inconsistent at times, and mentioned a case in which references to some schools in an article included links while others did not.

She wrote: “What is the policy on inserting Web links? Do you think it is reasonable to link to some groups and not others in the span of an article?”

Another reader objected to the link in an article on The Times's Web site Wednesday. The story itself concerned the spokeswoman for the mayoral candidate Anthony D. Weiner and her vulgarity-laced rant against a former campaign intern. The article described “expletives,” but the link within it took readers to an interview that detailed the rant itself, with some strong language.

Times editors have been thinking about this recently, as they prepare to update the stylebook. The overall idea, according to Philip B. Corbett, the associate managing editor for standards, is this: “We encourage reporters and editors to include links when readers will find it useful and interesting. There's no restriction on the number but too many can be distracting. It makes sense to be judicious.”

Here's some of the language that will be included in The Times's stylebook:

If an article refers to material of interest to readers, like a Web site, document, image or video, provide an embedded link as a convenience. Readers also value links to background information and other useful content. When crediting a competitor, providing a link is mandatory. Test that all links are operational. While readers understand that The Times does not edit or control material found through external links, be mindful of our taste standards and generally avoid linking to strongly offensive material. Consult the standards editor or the news desk if there are questions. Generally avoid linking directly to the site of a specific seller for products including books, unless the Web site itself is the topic.

It's good to be consistent, of course, and the schools article might have done a better job with that, if all the schools did indeed have their own Web sites.

As for the article on Mr. Weiner's spokeswoman and other taste matters, Mr. Corbett responded, “We think readers recognize that when they follow a link, it's not The New York Times.”

But, he said, good judgment should still prevail: “We would avoid things that are terribly offensive. We probably wouldn't link to a porn site or a horrible racist screed.”

I've written before about The Times's conservative policy on the use of vulgarity and the lengths to which it will go to avoid it. Readers seem almost evenly divided on whether they would like to see the rules loosened or kept strict. The Times isn't looking for a vote, however; it is sticking by its strict standards.

A link can sometimes be a way to abide by those standards while still giving readers the details - if they want them.

I am answering questions from Times readers. On Wednesday I wrote about the use of direct quotations and about identifying writers of letters to the editor, and will later get to a question about the use of brands - iPhone, for example - in Times articles.