The HyperText Transfer Protocol (HTTP) is a foundational web communication protocol that governs how data is transmitted between a web browser and a server. HTTP is responsible for loading web pages through hyperlinks, allowing for the display of text, images, and videos. When users click a link, the browser sends an HTTP request to the server, which in turn delivers the requested page. HTTP operates over the TCP/IP protocol suite and forms the backbone of modern web interactions. The introduction of HTTP/2 and HTTP/3 brought speed and efficiency improvements, further enhancing web performance.