Writing great link text

Avoid "click here"

It's common to see text such as "click here" and "download here" used to link to things - we've all used a link like that, so what's wrong with creating more links like that?

Learn why to avoid "here" links and start a new habit for better links with these writing tips.

1. The term ‘click’ is unrelated to the subject matter so it lacks the information needed by assistive technologies to accurately describe the content for screen readers.
2. Links such as “here", "download" and “click” conceal the content matter. The text around the link might explain what the user is clicking-on, but the link itself lacks clear identification. Readers tend to scan web pages to quickly grab the information needed so a link to the "2019 Annual Report" more identifiable than "Click here" for the Annual Report.
3. Mobile and tablet users touch the screen with their fingers. There's no "clicking" involved whatsoever. Audiences use a wide range of devices and the notion of "click here" doesn't fit for every user.
4. Phrases such as "click here" and "download here" we draw attention to the action instead of the content. Identifying what the link is offering to your readers reduces confusion and benefits the web site search optimisation. Using the document title as the link keeps that document as the focus.

Some examples of writing links without using "click here"

Have a look at the examples shown below:

• You can read the Annual Report. (PDF, 3MB)
• Term two fixtures are now available for netball, soccer, hockey and yoga.
• The Year 9 Camp was a wash out! First our tent flooded; then the bus got bogged on the track; and finally Mr Brown slipped over and required 4 stitches to a cut on his leg! On the plus side we all learnt a lot about resilience.
• For more information about The Lighthouse Girl visit author, Dianne Wolfer, or the publisher, Fremantle Press.