Writing Meaningful Link Text for Accessibility
Writing Meaningful Link Text for Accessibility records accessibility-focused writing guidance from the named standards body while keeping implementation and wording advice separate from unrelated general style rules.
Write link text that describes the destination or purpose instead of relying on ambiguous wording such as “click here” or “read more.”
Key details
Important caveats
Scope Boundary
The surrounding context can contribute to meaning under WCAG, but standalone descriptive wording generally improves scanning and navigation.
Further guidance
Content
Write link text that describes the destination or purpose instead of relying on ambiguous wording such as “click here” or “read more.”
Practical Application
Write the destination or purpose into the link text itself when practical, especially when links may be encountered out of surrounding sentence context. Reserve vague phrases such as “click here” for cases where the context still supplies an unambiguous purpose.
Purpose
W3C WAI recommends meaningful link text that communicates the link target and relevant target information.
Reader Check
If the link text were read on its own in a list of links, would its purpose or destination still be reasonably clear?
Worked Example
Use “Download the annual report (PDF)” rather than a standalone “Click here,” so the link identifies what the reader will get.
Sources and evidence
Sources are shown with the role they play in this guide. Historical or style-sensitive claims are kept within the evidence boundary described above.
- Writing for Web Accessibility — W3C WAI (opens in a new tab)W3C Web Accessibility Initiative · W3C WAI guidance for accessible page titles, headings, meaningful link text, text alternatives, transcripts/captions, clear instructions, and clear concise content.