HTML Guides for object replacement character

The href value on the <a> element contains  (U+FFFC, the object replacement character), which isn't allowed in a URL path.

Rich-text editors and other text systems use U+FFFC as a placeholder for an inline image or other embedded object. Copying text out of one of them, or editing a link next to an inline image, can leave the placeholder inside the URL. Depending on the font, it's invisible or shows up as a small box, so the address can look right in the editor.

It never belongs in an address. Browsers send it as %EF%BF%BC, so /jobs/apply/ is requested as /jobs/apply%EF%BF%BC/, which most likely doesn't exist. Percent-encoding it yourself silences the validator but the link stays broken, so delete the character instead. Retyping the URL in the link field, or editing the link in the editor's HTML view, gets rid of it. To find every occurrence in a template or an export, run a regular-expression search for \uFFFC or \x{FFFC}, depending on the tool.

The same character in a query string or a fragment gets a similar message that names the query or the fragment instead of a path segment.

Invalid example

<a href="/jobs/apply/">Apply now</a>

Valid example

<a href="/jobs/apply/">Apply now</a>