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Descriptive Links

What Are Descriptive Links? #

Descriptive links are hyperlinks where the linked text clearly explains the purpose or destination of the link. Instead of using vague wording like “click here” or “read more,” descriptive links tell users what they will find if they follow the link.

This is especially important for accessibility. Screen readers can pull up a list of all links on a page. If every link just says “click here,” the list is meaningless. But if links are descriptive, users know exactly where each one leads.

Lastly, avoid “naked” links where you paste raw URLs into a page or document. These kinds link does not give clear information and a long, complex URLs can be confusing and frustrating for someone with a screen reader to listen to.

Descriptive Link Best Practices #

  • Be specific: Link text should describe the content or action.
  • Keep it concise: Aim for a few words or a short phrase.
  • Integrate naturally: The link should fit smoothly into the sentence.
  • Avoid repetition: Don’t use the same vague phrase for multiple different links.
  • Don’t rely on context: Assume the link may be read out of context (like in a screen reader’s link list).
  • Avoid URLs as link text: Naked links, or using the URL for the linked text, can be difficult to understand, especially for screen readers that will read the URL character by character. Certain special characters in links can even cause screen readers to crash. Instead, convert the URL into meaningful text.

Descriptive Links Examples #

Example 1 #

✗ Bad example

For our next class you should read this article about descriptive link text.

This link uses text that doesn’t explain its purpose when taken out of context. For example, a screen reader would simply announce: “link: this.”

Since screen readers can display a list of all the links on a page, a link labeled only as “this” would give no clue about where it leads.

✓ Good example

For our next class you should read this article about descriptive link text.

With the updated link text, a screen reader will announce: “link: article about descriptive link text.”

This works well because the link makes sense on its own, without needing the surrounding sentence for context.

Example 2 #

✗ Bad example

In these examples, the link text doesn’t explain the destination or purpose. On top of that, the links all use the same wording but point to different places. This creates confusion, since links with identical labels should not lead to different content.

If you have Zoom links to meeting it can be helpful to include the date in the descriptive link to make it distinctive instead of “Zoom Link” over and over.

✓ Good example

We can improve this example for screen reader accessibility, and simultaneously make it less complex by making it a simple list of links:

Why Do Descriptive Links Matter? #

1. Accessibility for Screen Readers #

When links are descriptive, people using assistive technologies can quickly navigate and decide which links are relevant.

Example: A student can scan a list of links like “Financial Aid Office” or “Fall 2025 Academic Calendar” instead of hearing “click here” ten times.

2. Better Usability for Everyone #

Descriptive links help sighted users too. They make content easier to skim and more user-friendly, especially on long pages or mobile devices.

Example: On a news page, seeing links labeled “UMW Sustainability Initiatives” is more helpful than “Read More.”

3. Improved Search Engine Optimization (SEO) #

Search engines also use link text to understand the destination page, which can improve rankings.

Example: A link that says “Apply to UMW” is stronger for search results than “Click here.”

What About Citations? #

When it comes to citations and references, it’s important to consider the context. Style guides such as APA or MLA are designed with journals, books, and student papers in mind. In those settings, following their formatting rules makes sense and can be maintained.

However, most style guides also acknowledge that context matters. For born-digital works like scholarly websites, accessibility should be prioritized. In these cases, it is appropriate—and best practice—to use descriptive link text rather than pasting in a raw URL. A common approach is to make the title of the source the clickable link.

Example:

Updated on January 28, 2026