Why Link Text Matters
Screen reader users often navigate a page using a list of the page's hyperlinks. Good link text tells users exactly what to expect when they click, without needing to read the surrounding text.
Most screen readers say "link" before each link, so there is also no reason for text such as "Link to..." Avoid vague phrasing like "Click here" or "Read more" — link text should clearly describe the destination.
⚡ Quick Rules
- No [click here] or [read more]
- Make link text descriptive and unique
- Indicate document type (PDF, Word, etc.)
- Don't rely on color alone to identify links — underline them
- Don't paste raw URLs as link text
How to Write Good Link Text
The Three Rules
- Descriptive — tells the user where they're going or what they'll get
- Concise — usually a few words, not a full sentence or URL
- Unique — avoid duplicate link text for different destinations, or different link text for the same destination.
Examples
| ❌ Bad Link Text | ✅ Good Link Text |
|---|---|
| [Click here to read the syllabus policy] | Read the [syllabus policy] |
| [Learn more] | Learn more about [accessibility training] |
| [Read more] | Read more about [ADA Title II requirements] |
| [Link] | [WCAG 2.1 Quick Reference] |
| [https://www.w3.org/WAI/standards-guidelines/wcag/] | [WCAG 2.1 Overview (W3C)] |
Links to Documents
When linking to a file, indicate the document type so users know what to expect:
- [Accessibility Checklist (PDF)]
- [Syllabus Template (Word)]
- [Training Schedule (Excel)]
Including the file type helps users decide whether to click — especially on mobile devices where downloading a file may be inconvenient.
Links in Email
The same principles apply to email. Don't paste raw URLs to be read aloud by a screen reader — hyperlink descriptive text instead. See the Email & Outlook Guide for step-by-step instructions.