why does the v2 link from documentation pages go to the root instead of the matching page in the v2 docs?

This appears to be a known issue with the AWS documentation navigation. While AWS has been making significant improvements to their documentation structure, navigation, and overall usability, there are still some inconsistencies in how version links work.

The behavior you're describing - where links from AWS CLI v1 documentation pages direct users to the root of the v2 documentation rather than to the equivalent page in v2 - is indeed frustrating but seems to be part of the current implementation.

AWS has been actively working on improving their documentation experience, including adding better navigation throughout the site and links to related resources. They've made updates to the documentation website's home page, added improved navigation controls, and enhanced search functionality. They've even added a "focus mode" feature based on user feedback.

While there's no specific explanation for why the v2 links don't take you to the matching page, it's likely related to structural differences between the v1 and v2 documentation that make direct page-to-page mapping challenging. AWS CLI v2 has several new features and configuration options not present in v1, which may contribute to this navigation issue.

Your frustration is understandable, as this seems like a straightforward usability improvement that could save users time when transitioning from v1 to v2 documentation.
Sources
AWS Documentation update — progress, challenges, and what’s next for 2025 | AWS Insights