I often find when I am reading Wikipedia or tvtropes.org just processing all the great links takes significant effort. AKA why do I have 15 tabs open.
So my text (would you like to know more) is trying to represent that choice. And my point is the presence of a link or a footnote both represent the option to learn more and when creating content deciding where to place those links is important.
PS: Wikipedia uses both and I find the footnotes are far less distracting.
The war of 1812 was started by the United States in response to a series of trade restrictions to impede on-going American trade with France.
Vs.
The war of 1812 was started by the United States in response to a series of trade restrictions to impede on-going American trade with France.4