Basic linking question

does it matter?

[LostJames]

Hello all,

My stupid question of the day is ...
when I link to your own other pages, does it matter which way I do it?
[mysite.com...]
or
page.html

I guess I am thinking about search engines.
Thank you,

[martinibuster]

It has been recommended that you use an absolute url because it decreases the likelihood of a spider becoming confused.

[too much information]

Also prevents me from getting confused when I'm working with a bunch of directories. ;)

[Mohamed_E]

I use relative URLs (page.html) and have had no problems.

[pageoneresults]

I typically use absolute URIs in all navigation includes. I'll then use relative URIs in main content. The absolute URIs will prevent DNS Jacking.

[DaveAtIFG]

Absolute URLs make a site a little more difficult to clone and steal (doesn't seem to happen much anymore). Also, if your domain name contains keywords, absolute URLs may provide a boost some on SEs, particularly for pages that are "keyword poor."

[nakulgoyal]

absolute links are always better. Keep them.

[Splatwax]

Absolute links are slower. Some of the HTML optimizers will notify you about that. Your site might be more difficult to jack, but it will also be less portable for you if you change domains or want to test it on your local computer, etc. Site-jacking type software, as well as Windows XP's "save as web page" feature aren't stopped by absolute links.

Adding the title attribute might be a good way to make up for the lack of an absolute link, as far as keywords go. I have't thought of that before now, but I don't know how many SE's care about title attributes.

[Small Website Guy]

Absolute urls make it impossible to debug your site locally. You click on the link and it takes you to the live site on the internet.

Relative urls are very basic stuff, and any spider that couldn't figure it out would be pretty poorly programmed. Google and Inktomi have certainly had no problems with my relatively linked sites.

[Splatwax]

Oops...I meant to say "Site-jacking type software, as well as Windows XP's 'save as web page' feature aren't stopped by relative links."

[dirkz]

I'm always using relative URLs, but I think it's causing trouble, because none of my sites has the PR it really deserves :)