Links can be set up just as links, or with describers.

Mozilla.org is just a link.

Here you see the describer, but not the link unless you hold the mouse over the describer.

Mozilla.com Here you see Mozilla, but the link goes to Bing.

Edited for corrections

Right, i understand that. What I'm talking about is the URL I see in the bottom left when I hover over the link. It doesn't match the URL I get when I right click the link and select "Copy link location".

The first link in the body of the article I linked has a describer of "nuanced positions". The link I see when I hover is a direct URL to a page on "www.vox.com" but when I "Copy link location" its a redirect tracker link that ends up in my clipboard.

Where is this? What webpage and what link?

This link from my original post. https://nymag.com/intelligencer/amp/2019/08/poll-marijuana-legalization-data-for-progress-radical-ideas-popular-aoc.html

FredMcD said

What webpage and what link?

There is usually some JavaScript modifying the link when you (left or right) click the link. If you only hove then you see a default link. When you click the link to an external page then the link is modified to show a message that you will move away. Google for instance also does this and modifies the link to send it to check the link in its safe browsing component. In this case I'm not seeing anything unusual happening, so something else might be wrong.

If you use extensions ("3-bar" menu button or Tools -> Add-ons -> Extensions) that can block content (Adblock Plus, NoScript, Disconnect, Ghostery, Privacy Badger, uBlock Origin) always make sure such extensions do not block content.

• make sure your extensions and filters are updated to the latest version
• https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/troubleshoot-extensions-themes-to-fix-problems

Firefox shows the shield icon at the left end of the location/address bar in case Content Blocking is blocking content.

• click the shield icon for more details and possibly disable the protection

You can check the Web Console about what content is blocked

• "3-bar" menu button or Tools -> Web Developer
• https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/content-blocking

Here is another example: The page https://lifehacker.com/uninstall-these-24-android-apps-infected-with-new-joker-1837979754 has a link under "any unexpected subscriptions" which seems to point to https://play.google.com/store/account/subscriptions but actually points to https://go.skimresources.com/?id=33330X911647&isjs=1&jv=3.22.4-stackpath&sref=https%3A%2F%2Flifehacker.com%2Funinstall-these-24-android-apps-infected-with-new-joker-1837979754&url=https%3A%2F%2Fplay.google.com%2Fstore%2Faccount%2Fsubscriptions&xguid=&xs=1&xtz=300&xuuid=26ac2dd1d877c1276fe2a53869b46000&xcust=lifehacker.com%3A1837979754

I am including a screenshot with the hover text.

https://play.google.com/store/account/subscriptions Takes me to that webpage.

I have not signed in to that site. Can that be the problem?

Also, you might have something re-directing the link.

Start Firefox in Safe Mode {web link}

A small dialog should appear. Click Start In Safe Mode (not Refresh). Is the problem still there?

You may have ad/mal-ware. Further information can be found in this article; https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/troubleshoot-firefox-issues-caused-malware?cache=no

Run most or all of the listed malware scanners. Each works differently. If one program misses something, another may pick it up.

There is a JavaScript onclick handler attached to the link as you can see in the Inspector, but that shouldn't matter.