Accessibility

Accessible Links

Last modified 10/31/2023

Links are important for helping direct people where to go through or from your document. Often displayed as text, links should be functional and usable.

  • Be concise. The link text should be just long enough to convey the purpose of the link
  • Avoid single letter links
  • Avoid generic link text such as "Click here," "Read More," and  "Learn More.
  • Short URLs are okay (i.e. www.IllinoisState.edu)
  • Avoid using long and complicated URLs with a jumble of numbers and letters. Instead provide a text hyperlink describing the purpose or target.

Carefully consider the text you use to describe links. Instead of simply copy/pasting the URL, carefully consider the text you use to describe links. Give the link a descriptive text, preferably the name of the website, article, or document and be concise. The link text should be just long enough to convey the purpose of the link.  Giving your link a descriptive text not only makes your document look more professional and organized, but it allows users of assistive technology to search a page for certain links more effectively. 

Short URLs are okay (i.e. www.IllinoisState.edu), but avoid long and complicated URLs with jumbled numbers and characters. Also, avoid using generic words such as “Click here" and "More" as link text. These links are not very helpful to people who rely only on the link text for direction. People using assistive technology are able to open a list of links to help them navigate through documents and web pages.

Example: Avoid writing: "To select your team members, click here."

Instead write: “use this form to select your team members."

The second option provides meaning and function of the link. Following the link will lead you to a place where you can select team members. No one is surprised when the link opens a form for requesting team members.

Linking email addresses offers quick access to communication tools.

If the link activates an email program to open (e.g. Outlook), use the person's email address as the linked text.

Example: reggie@email.edu

For links to contact forms or pages of information, avoid using the email address. Instead provide descriptive text link.

Example: Contact Reggie or Send Reggie an email

Use one or two keywords in your link text, doing so will help increase search optimization for your website.