What is an accessible link?
Many users will visually scan content to look for relevant links. Additionally, users of screen readers can navigate digital content by skipping from link to link, so each link should be clear and unique. Imagine attempting to identify an important link for an assignment or project, and hearing the words “click here” repeated.
Accessible link text should be meaningful, descriptive, and unique. The text will tell the user what to expect when they click on the link.
Instead… EMBED!
Embedding takes a long link text and places in it a format that has meaning and context. Below are examples of not embedded and embedded links:
- Learn about UMD Hockey at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Minnesota_Duluth_Bulldogs_women%27s_ice_hockey
- Learn about UMD Hockey
The second link is more succinct, aesthetically pleasing, and tells your readers exactly what they will be exploring.
However - choose a descriptive phrase. Using words or phrases like “HERE”, “Click HERE”, and “THIS LINK” provided the vaguest description of the link.
Keyboard Shortcuts to Embed Links
To quickly add links, you can use keyboard shortcuts to make it easier. These are available in most applications.
Windows
- Select the text that you want to turn into a link
- Press “Control + K” on your keyboard
- Type in the URL or copy and paste it from another source using “Control + C” and “Control + V”
Mac
- Select the text that you want to turn into a link
- Press “Command + K” on your keyboard
- Type in the URL or copy with “Command + C” and paste, “Command + V”, the link from your source.