Link Text

When adding hyperlinks to other pages or content, the link text should be self-describing. It should be sufficiently descriptive that the user understands where the link goes without needing to know the surrounding context.

People who use screen readers frequently navigate through all the links on the page before listening to the page as a whole. Thus, it’s important that the link text tell the user where the link takes them. Generic link text like “Read More” only makes sense if the user has read or heard all of the previous text.

This screenshot shows the JAWS screen reader displaying all the links on a website, a common way for users of screen readers to navigate a page before listening to all the content. 

Guidelines

• Link text should be adequately descriptive that a user understands where it goes without knowing the surrounding context.
• If you have multiple hyperlinks all linking to the same resource, they should have the same link text.
• Each unique link on the page should have unique link text.
• Avoid generic link names like “Learn More”.
• Use icons to indicate when links open in an external window.
• Avoid listing the full URL whenever possible. The screen reader will read out each character. This guideline may not apply in certain circumstances, like when citing a reference, or if shown on a PowerPoint slide when you want the audience to access it during the presentation. 

Good Link Text:

• WebAIM color contrast checker
• Eastern Oregon University Homepage

Bad Link Text:

• Click here (or Read Me, or Learn More, etc.)
• https://www.eou.edu

How to Test

Manually review all the links on the webpage. Ensure that all links are descriptive enough that they tell the user where they go, without reading the surrounding context. Make sure that all links have unique link text, unless they link to the same page or resource.