Links in digital content can be used to provide additional information to the reader beyond what is on the current page.
The most important thing is to make clear what the user will get when they click the link. Links should:
- Provide some information when read out of context
- Explain what the link offers OR provide the title (or close to it) of the target page, so that all users—including anyone using a screen reader—can immediately tell where that link goes.
- Example of screen reader navigating links.
Considerations when creating links:
- Links should be blue (often the default) and underlined.
- For scannability and accessibility, be as specific as possible with link text.
- Link keyphrases rather than individual words and consider making minor copy edits to enable this. For example, linking the phrase "types of internet accounts" is more effective than only linking the word "types."
- Avoid linking to the same resource multiple times in one piece of content.
- When linking an entire sentence, do not include the period in the link.
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Good examples |
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Links should be descriptive OR provide the title (or close to it) of the target page. |
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Generally speaking, links should be at the end of a sentence unless there is no critical information following the link. |
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Links should be descriptive text, not the hyperlink itself.
Exception: Sometimes, it makes sense to provide the URL immediately after the descriptive text when the URL is short and is commonly referenced.
Note: Refer to it.umn.edu as Technology Help Website. |
https://tdx.umn.edu/TDClient/31/Portal/KB/ArticleDet?ID=5432
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Remove Extra HTML Formatting from an Article
Remote Computer Support, remote.umn.edu |
Never Use Click here (or other non-descriptive link text)
"Click here" has absolutely no informational value. It makes it impossible to scan a page to see what other content possibilities there are. It doesn't tell the user anything about where the link leads. It's not good enough to provide context prior to the link.
More importantly, "click here" makes it nearly impossible for a person using adaptive technology to efficiently work with the page. Example of screen reader navigating links. The same is true for the following (not a comprehensive list):
- Here
- More
- Learn more
Additional Considerations for Comms
None
Additional Considerations for Knowledge
Jump-to and In-page Links
When you want to allow a user to jump to another location in the page, such as a later section, leave the Target window as is <not set>. However, add "(on this page)" after the link. This is an accessibility standard.
An exception to adding "(on this page)" after the link is in a Table of Contents.
Additional Considerations for Website Content
None