The Dos and Don’ts of Descriptive Links

A descriptive link is link text that describes where the user is going or a document that will be opened.  The link should indicate where the audience is going to go when the text is clicked or activated.

Part of creating an accessible digital environment is to find opportunities to make it more accessible. Since not everything can be caught with automated testing tools, a human touch is needed.

Do:

• Use descriptive text so that users know where the link goes
• Use text to determine link purpose if read out of context
  e.g. read the link text without the surrounding information and determine if a user will know where they are going

Don’t:

• Use vague descriptive text such as click, link, click here, read more, or learn more
• Use a URL as the link e.g. https://www.montgomerycollege.edu

Note: If a document is designed for digital and print an acceptable solution is to provide the link using descriptive text followed by the URL in plain text.

Next Destination

Learn more tips about writing descriptive links, linking images, testing link text, and aria techniques.

Take the Accessibility Challenge

1. Look at a webpage, email, or document that uses links.
2. Read the links by themselves out of context. Would you or someone else know where the link will go? e.g. does “click here” tell someone where they are going?
3. Add more accessible descriptive link text to help others know where they are going.