When we write descriptive links, we help make sure everyone can easily understand and navigate our content.
Hyperlinks are most effective when their text clearly describes their destination, even when read in isolation, so when you add links to a document, aim to write link text that clearly describes the link’s destination and makes sense on its own.
Avoid vague link text — such as “click here,” “read more,” or “view” — because these generic phrases fail to explain where the link will take the user. This can slow down sighted users who are quickly skimming a document, and it can be particularly troublesome for screen reader users who may lack additional context that’s readily available to sighted persons.
In fact, screen readers will typically let users pull up a list of all the links in the document, analogous to how sighted users may skim through a webpage or document looking for links. In this way, screen reader users may encounter your links out of context, so it can be especially helpful if your link text makes sense when encountered on its own.
As a best practice, clearly identify special types of links. For example, if you are linking from a webpage to a PDF file, include “(PDF)” within your link text.
Try to avoid using a URL as your link text where possible. For example, avoid https://www.scu.edu/ and instead use Santa Clara University, if that makes sense in context. If you are intending to print the document or if your style guide calls for including the full URL, by all means use the full URL. That is acceptable and is not an accessibility violation. However, by using more descriptive link text where appropriate, we can make a more accessible and inclusive experience.
What To Do
Ensure your link text describes the link destination. Avoid creating links that are simply “click here” or “read more.”
Human Impacts
Without descriptive link text, all users may be confused about the purpose or destination of the link. In particular, people with cognitive disabilities and screen reader users will have a more difficult time navigating through your content.
WCAG References
This skill corresponds to the following success criteria of the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG):
- 2.4.4 Link Purpose (In Context) (Level A)