Links should clearly state their purpose in the linked text so individuals can decide whether to click on the link. This is especially helpful for people who use screen readers, who depend on accurate descriptions to determine which links are relevant.
Using precise language to describe the purpose of the link benefits everyone. Descriptive links can prevent disorientation when arriving at the destination page.
Success Criteria for Link Purpose
Use concise text to describe where hyperlinks go.
- Avoid non-descriptive words/phrases like “click here” and “more.”
- Avoid pasting full URLs.
- Alt text of linked images should describe the link, not the image.
Assistive technology can provide users with a list of links that are on a page so if all the links say “read more,” this tool is not helpful. Instead, if each link has a meaning built in, this list of links can help with navigating the page. Use specific details in a link, such as:
- Register for the Python workshop.
- Take the survey on food allergies.
- Learn more about the usage of links.
Techniques for Purposeful Links
- Providing link text that describes the purpose of a link
- Identifying the purpose of a link using link text combined with the text of the enclosing sentence
- Supplementing link text with the title attribute
Anchor Links
Success Criteria for Anchor Links
Anchor links are designed to move you to a different destination within the same web page or document. Their purpose is to let you skip to the content you are interested in. Anchor links are often used as a table of contents at the top of the document, just like on this page.
When creating anchor link text, the same guidelines apply. Ensure the link’s purpose is clear. In a table of contents, the name of the heading is usually the link text.
Techniques for Anchor Links
- Adding links at the top of the page to each area of the content
- Providing link text that describes the purpose of a link for anchor elements