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ADA Hyperlinks

ADA hyperlink icon

Links are what make the web great. They connect information across pages, sites and around the globe. There are a few best practices to use when creating links.

Hyperlinks must use meaningful, descriptive text. Avoid vague phrases like “click here,” “read more,” or “learn more,” because screen readers often read links out of context. Users must be able to understand where a link goes or what action it performs based solely on the link text. Descriptive hyperlinks improve navigation, reduce confusion, and meet ADA and WCAG accessibility standards. 

When a link simply says “click here,” “read more,” “more,” “learn more,” or “link,” it gives no information about: 

  • Where the link goes 
  • What action will happen 
  • Whether the link is relevant 
  • How it fits into the rest of the page 
  • Whether the link is safe or trustworthy 

To comply with ADA, Section 508, and WCAG 2.2, link text must be: 

  • Descriptive 
  • Specific 
  • Able to stand alone 
  • Clear about the destination or purpose 

 

What Screen Readers Do with Links 

Screen reader users may navigate a page by jumping link to link using shortcut keys. They hear only the link text, such as: 

“Read more” 

“Click here” 

“More” 

“Visit” 

If the link text gives no meaning, the page becomes frustrating and unusable. 

 

Examples of Strong vs. Weak Link Text 

Weak (nonaccessible) 

Click here 

Read more 

Learn more 

More 

Details 

Here 

Visit website 

Strong (accessible) 

View Admissions Requirements 

Download the 2025 Course Catalog (PDF) 

Apply for Financial Aid 

Register for the Nursing Info Session 

Explore Transfer Pathways 

Contact the Career Services Office 

The best link text describes exactly what the user will get. 

 

Common Mistakes to Avoid 

  1. Using “Click here,” “Read more,” or other vague labels 
    These provide no context and fail WCAG criteria for link purpose. 
  2. Making the entire sentence a hyperlink 
    Long links are difficult for screen reader users to parse. 
    Avoid: 
    To learn about our Engineering programs, click here to read our program overview and see all majors available. 
    Better: 
    Learn about our Engineering program options. 
  3. Using the URL itself as the hyperlink text 
    Screen readers read every character aloud. 
    Avoid: 
    https://www.tctc.edu/programs/career-programs/financial-services-cluster/accounting-associate-degree/
    Better: 
    Accounting Program 
  4. Linking generic words like “here,” “this,” or “more information” 
    When read in isolation, they mean nothing. 
  5. Repeating the same vague link text multiple times on a page 
    Five links labeled “Learn more” → screen reader users cannot distinguish among them. 
  6. Not indicating file types or special behaviors 
    Users need to know what will happen when they activate a link. 
    Good practice: 
    Annual Budget Report (PDF) 
    Apply Online (opens in new tab) 
  7. Linking too many words at once 
    The link should capture the concept, not the entire sentence. 
  8. Not matching link text to the actual destination 
    If link text says “View Tuition Costs,” the link should not lead to a general homepage. 
  9. Using color alone to signal links 
    Links must be visually identifiable in multiple ways—usually color and underline—since some users can’t perceive color differences. 

 

Checklist for Writing Accessible Hyperlinks 

✔ Does the link clearly describe the destination or action? 
✔ Can the link text stand alone? 
✔ Is the link concise but specific? 
✔ Does it avoid vague phrases like “click here”? 
✔ Does it avoid using the raw URL? 
✔ If the link goes to a file, does the text indicate file type? 
✔ If multiple links appear on the page, are their labels unique? 
✔ Does the link reflect what the user will actually get? 

 

Make link purpose clear from the link text

Do not use "Click here", "This link", or the URL for a link. Visitors should understand what a link will do from its text.

"Click Here to download our guide" does not provide information when the surrounding text is missing. This should instead be "Download our guide"

Long URLs as a link are also bad as they do not provide any information about the link, and with screen readers, every word or letter is read aloud to the user. 
Check out our Accessibility Resources here: https://www.tctc.edu/life-at-tctc/student-services-and-support/accessibility-resources/  could simply be "Check our Accessibility Resources.

 

Make the link distinguishable

Make sure the link looks different from surrounding text. Don't make it the same color and style as all the text around it. That way, users will know they can click on it.

 

Provide file information

If you are linking to a file download, provide the type of file in the link text:
"Download our brochure (PDF)"