Links and calls to action

Article
Read time: 6 minutes

Step 1: Understand your goals

Link text - All links use descriptive text. If the same link text is used more than once, all occurrences bring users to the same destination.

Linked text accessibility resources

Link Text and Appearance on webaim.org

Step 2: Watch the video

Links make the most sense when they give clear directions and descriptions. Don’t use vague and too-common phrases such as:

  • Click here
  • Learn more
  • Read more
  • Get info

Instead, include short and accurate link descriptions. For example, “Read about accessibility” is a good descriptive link; “Read more” is not.

 

Step 3: Practice your new skill

Basic tests

  • For text links, verify:
    • The linked text is descriptive - it tells the user what will happen or where they will go
    • The linked text is not a URL
    • You can quickly identify links on the page at a glance
    • A change in color is not the only way to identify links
    • Identical linked text goes to the same destination
    • There is a way (visible and for screen readers) for users to know when links will open external sites
  • For linked images or icons on the page, verify:
    • The image is at least 24 pixels x 24 pixels
    • The image has descriptive alt text
    • Any accompanying link text is descriptive
  • Use the ‘links’ module in ANDI to verify there are no errors reported in the Accessibility Alerts section.

Next lesson: Resizing

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