Quick summary:
Don’t use link text like “click here” or “read more.” They’re not helpful.
The problem
One layer of providing web content that is accessible, equitable, and usable is thinking about the various ways that users interact with our content. Using links or buttons with generic text labels like: “click here,” ”more information,” and “read more” fail to provide meaning.
The discussion
Links and buttons should have unique or descriptive text that should be meaningful when read out of context. Likewise, the purpose of the link or button should be determined from its text.
Consider the various ways users interact with links:
- Screen reader users can generate a list of links and navigate them alphabetically. Redundant or generic link text such as “More” is meaningless in this context.
- Assuming all users click on links is inaccurate. Clicking is an action that only takes place when using a mouse or touchpad, and limiting your language to ‘Click here” may inadvertently exclude some users.
- Users don’t click on mobile devices.
- Using a computer with a keyboard only (no mouse) users may tab to the links and then use the enter key
- Users of assistive technology may use voice commands, instead of physically selecting an item.
Getting to the destination
Each link and button should be unique and informative. Links such as “Click Here” or “Read more” or “More Information” do not clarify the destination of an activated link.
This is especially important when there are multiple buttons on the page that navigate to different places or perform a different task. Examine each link and button and make sure that they have a unique and informative text so that users know what will happen when they activate that control.
What to do
Instead of this: “Click here for a PDF on Ocean Sciences”
Do this: “PDF on Ocean Sciences“
Instead of this: Adding ‘More” or “Read More” to an article
Do this: “More about Ocean Sciences” — which adds more context.
What not to do
Avoid using full URLs as link text.
- When text like “https://www.ucsc.edu” is used, sighted users can see the words UCSC’ and ‘edu’, but a screen reader is going to read the URL letter-by-letter. “H-T-T-P, Colon, Slash, Slash, Double-U, Double-U, Double-U, Dot, U-C-S-C, dot, E-D-U “
- As you can imagine, this becomes unintelligible after the first 4-5 letters.
Don’t use the word “link” in your links.
Screen readers tell the user when they encounter a link, so you don’t need to use the words “link” or “links to” or “goes to” in your link text.
Keep learning
Make IT Accessible: Digital Accessibility Fundamentals
Make IT Accessible: Digital Accessibility Fundamentals Checklist