Links can include long strings of nonsensical numbers and letters, for example, the link to this page: https://libguides.ucmerced.edu/c.php?g=1376124&p=10183769. Descriptive links involve marking up the link by adding display text that provides context to what happens when a user follows a link.
Best Practices
- Use descriptive links rather than "click here." E.g.: information about descriptive links from Oregon State University
- Screen readers offer the user an option to just read the link on the page, so if all the links say "click here," they are stripped of context and the user will not know which link to click on
- For links in print media, use visual signals like underlining or different font color to set links apart. With color, it is useful to also put links in bold for colorblind viewers.
- Generally it is ok to remove the https:// and any end slash / from the url when including it in print materials, i.e.: https://library.ucmerced.edu/ becomes library.ucmerced.edu in print.
- QR codes can help make links more accessible for some users. Include a descriptive label for print and digital media Here is a free QR code generator.
