1. Underline Link Text
Adding underlines or other non-color indicators help users who may not see color. Users who are not comfortable with technology may also appreciate having links underlined.
2. link text Should be Unique and Should Easily Understable without the surrounding sentence.
It’s most important for link text to make sense without the surrounding sentences or content. The link text alone should convey the function and purpose of the link. Link text should also be unique and easy to speak out loud.
3. Avoid Generic Terms:
Avoid link text like “Click Here,” “More,” and “Read More.” These kinds of links can be confusing when a screen reader reads them out of context.
Not recommended: See this blog post.
Not recommended: Click here.
Recommended: For more information about SEO, we have a full blog post about what is SEO.
4. Don’t Use Naked Link
Don’t use a URL as the link text. Instead, You may use the page title also as a link text.
5. Avoid a new tab or window
Don’t force links to open in a new tab or window. Let the reader decide how to open links. If you think a link needs to open in a new tab or window, let the reader know that the link is opening differently than expected. For example, if the following link opens in a new tab, the link text should let them know: Accessible content (opens in a new tab).
6. Mention Downloadable contents file type
If a link downloads a file, the link text needs to indicate this action as well as the file type.
Example: If a link downloads a file, then make that clear in the link text, and mention the file type.
Recommended: For more information, download the security features PDF.
If the link goes to a file, consider adding the kind of file as
part of the link text:
Advance IT Center SEO Course Details (PDF)
Lecture Slides (PowerPoint)
Program Application (Word)
7. Use about instead of on
When a cross-reference includes information that describes what the cross-reference links to, use about instead of on.
Not recommended: For more information on heart disease, see what can cause heart disease.
Recommended: For more information about heart disease, see what can cause heart disease.
8. Use “check expert opinion about tankless water heater” instead of “Best Tankless Water Heater”
9. Put the punctuation outside of the link.
Don’t use punctuation inside the anchor text. Use full-stop, comma, exclamation mark, or question after the link text.
10. Don’t make the link text Italic
11. Maintain H1, H2, H3, H4, H5, H6 hierarchy
12. You can Bold a tile or headline but not a sentence or paragraph.
13. Use Relevant links while making an outbound link. Don’t Repeat the same link twice.
14. Make visited links change color
By changing the color of visited links users are provided with a visual clue as to where they’ve already been on your website. This is essential if you want to allow visitors to freely explore your site without continually going back to where they’ve already been – a frustrating experience and one that’s sure to encourage them to go elsewhere.
It’s also important to choose effective colors for unvisited and visited links. Look at these three examples:
Unvisited Visited
1. Link text (blue) Link text (purple) – Best
2. Link text (orange) Link text (light orange) – Fine
3. Link text (green) Link text (brown) – Not effective
Key Point: Use descriptive link text that is helpful to the reader.