Texas Tech University

Descriptive Links

When people access online information using assistive technology, they have the ability to view a list of all the links available in a document or webpage. Using descriptive links is important for these users so that they don't end up with a list of links all called "Click Here". In other words, the text of the link should make sense out of context. Here are some compliant and non-compliant examples of descriptive links.

Non-Compliant Examples:

The following image demonstrates what a links list looks like when the links are non-compliant. Notice that this list would be basically useless on its own. 

List of links that are all ambiguous, "Read more, 1 comment, 1, click here, click here, etc."

Compliant Examples:

This image shows a links list that utilizes descriptive links. Notice that each link has at least a basic indication of where it will lead.

Links list with descriptive links, "New Prices, background to the changes, support, questions, etc."

Additional Resources: 

WebAIM: Links and Hypertext: a resource about accessible links

Online Accessibility at Texas Tech