Why link text matters
Screen reader users often navigate by pulling up a list of all links on a page. If every link says "click here" or "read more," they can't tell where any link goes. Meaningful link text helps everyone understand the destination before clicking.
The "link list" test: Read your links out of context. Can you tell where each one goes? If not, rewrite them.
Good vs. bad link text
| ❌ Avoid | ✅ Better | Why it's better |
|---|---|---|
| Click here to register | Register for spring classes | Describes the action and destination |
| Read more | Read more about accessibility training | Specifies what you'll read more about |
| https://arizona.edu/forms/reg.pdf | Registration form (PDF, 245KB) | Human-readable with file info |
| Learn more Learn more Learn more |
Learn about tuition Learn about housing Learn about meal plans |
Each link is unique and specific |
| The policy is available online | The accessibility policy is available online | More specific about which policy |
Guidelines for link text
1. Be descriptive and specific
- Link text should describe where the link goes or what action it performs
- Avoid generic phrases like "click here," "read more," "learn more," or "more info"
- If you must use "learn more," add context: "Learn more about registration deadlines"
2. Make links work out of context
- Screen reader users navigate via lists of links
- Each link should make sense without surrounding text
- Unique link text for each unique destination
3. Keep it concise
- Link text should be meaningful but not overly long
- Aim for 4-8 words when possible
- Don't make entire paragraphs into links
4. Indicate file types and external links
- For downloads: include format and size — "Budget report (PDF, 1.2MB)"
- For external sites: consider noting it opens a new window (if it does)
- Example: "Visit the Department of Education website (opens in new window)"
5. Avoid bare URLs
- URLs are hard to read and impossible to pronounce well
- Screen readers spell out URLs character by character
- Exception: If the URL itself is the information (e.g., arizona.edu in print)
Common patterns
Action links
When linking to forms or actions:
Navigation links
When linking to pages:
Document links
Include file type and size:
- 2026 Budget Summary (PDF, 450KB)
- Accessibility checklist (Word, 125KB)
- Training schedule (Excel, 85KB)
Email and phone links
Make it clear what happens:
Technical implementation
Standard link
<a href="registration.html">Register for spring classes</a>Link with additional context (aria-label)
Use when you can't change the visible text but need more context:
<a href="news.html" aria-label="Read all accessibility news">Read more</a>Link opening in new window
<a href="https://external-site.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener">
External resource (opens in new window)
</a>Download link
<a href="report.pdf" download>
Annual report (PDF, 2.3MB)
</a>Test your links
Use these quick tests to verify your link text:
- Link list test: Read only the links on your page. Can you understand where each goes?
- Out of context test: Does each link make sense without surrounding text?
- Uniqueness test: Do identical link texts go to identical destinations?
- Screen reader test: Use NVDA or VoiceOver to hear how your links sound