Accessibility Advice Series: Descriptive Text Hyperlinks

Non-descriptive text hyperlinks can pose a significant barrier to accessibility for blind or low vision website users. This is because screen reader software relies on the text of a hyperlink to accurately interpret its purpose and destination. If the text of a hyperlink is not descriptive, users with visual impairments may have difficulty understanding where the hyperlink will take them, leading to confusion and frustration.

One of the biggest challenges with descriptive text hyperlinks is that they are often the result of poor writing or a lack of attention to detail. For example, a hyperlink might be labeled simply as “click here,” which provides no information about where the hyperlink will take the user. Another common issue is the use of generic phrases like “more info” or “learn more” as the text for a hyperlink, which again fails to provide any meaningful information about the destination of the link.

To avoid creating non-descriptive text hyperlinks, developers and content creators should make a conscious effort to write clear and descriptive link text. Instead of using generic phrases like “click here” or “learn more,” the text of a hyperlink should accurately describe the destination of the link. For example, a hyperlink to a page about the history of a company might be labeled as “Learn about the history of XYZ Corporation.” This provides the user with useful information about the destination of the link, and makes it easier for them to understand and navigate to the desired content.

Furthermore, developers should also avoid using the same text for multiple hyperlinks that lead to different destinations. This can be confusing for users with visual impairments, as it can make it difficult for them to determine which hyperlink goes where. To avoid this issue, each hyperlink should have unique and descriptive text that accurately reflects its destination.

In summary, non-descriptive text hyperlinks can be a major barrier to accessibility for users with visual impairments. By writing clear and descriptive link text, and avoiding the use of generic phrases, developers and content creators can ensure that users with visual impairments can easily understand and navigate to the desired content. This will improve the overall accessibility of the website or application, and will enhance the user experience for all users.