Accessibility: Hyperlinks

Watch a quick video on creating descriptive, accessible links!

What's an accessible hyperlink?

Hyperlinks need to be descriptive in order to ensure accessibility to everyone. Using descriptive hyperlinks is important for accessibility because they give all users, especially those using screen readers, clear information about what to expect when clicking a link. Instead of vague text like “click here,” descriptive links convey the purpose or destination, making navigation easier and more efficient. This not only improves accessibility but also enhances the overall user experience for everyone.

Accessible Versus Inaccessible Hyperlinks

Accessible Hyperlink Examples

1. "Download the Fall 2025 Course Catalog (PDF)"

   • Why it’s good: Clearly describes what the user will get and even specifies the file type.

2. "Learn more about Butler University's online degree programs"

   • Why it’s good: Gives context about what information is at the link destination.

3. "Register for the Accessibility Workshop"

   • Why it’s good: Makes the action and purpose of the link clear. Users know they'll be getting some type of form to fill out once the link is clicked on.

Inaccessible Hyperlink Examples

1. "Click this link"

   • Why it’s bad: It doesn’t provide any context about where the link leads or what it does. Screen readers announce when a link is encountered before reading the link text, so adding the word “link” within the text is unnecessary.

2. "Read more" (used multiple times on a page)

   • Why it’s bad: If several links on a page say "read more," screen reader users won’t know what each one refers to and they can't quickly navigate to the links they need.

3. "http://www.example.com/xyz/article?id=123"

   • Why it’s bad: Raw URLs are confusing to interpret, especially for screen reader users.

Additional Resources

• WebAIM offers a helpful resource with additional information and tips on making hyperlinks accessible: Introduction to Links and Hypertext.