Ambiguous Links: Addressing the issues
Learn how to make links easy to understand and interact with and for all
Length Estimate: 4 to 6 mins
Lesson contents:
Part 1 | Ambiguous Links: Understanding the issues
Part 2 | Ambiguous Links: Addressing the issues
This training helps:
Anyone who creates and manages links like through emails, marketing, and resource hubs like SharePoint
- Content writers
- Marketers
- Project Managers
- … and more
Important note
Throughout this training, any links inside containers are not clickable. They’re styled as links to provide an example.
Example of non-clickable links in a box
Ambiguous link
Start of hyperlink, Ambiguous link example, end of hyperlink
Descriptive link
Example of a descriptive link.
Review of Understanding ambiguous links
What are Ambiguous Links?
Ambiguous links are links with unclear content. The content might be hard to read or understand. It might also be hard to determine where the link goes.
For example, URLs are ambiguous because they are hard to read. It might also be hard to know where the link will go.
In comparison, a descriptive link like “Company Training Hub” is easy to read. It’s also clear where it takes the user.
Non-interactive examples
Ambiguous link
https://Online.com/afwe10/648.train/aBtG90
Descriptive link
Learn more about Company Training Hub.
How ambiguous links can impact screen reader users
People using screen readers navigate links differently than other users. Screen readers allow users to open a list of all the links on a page. Screen reader users may use this feature to skim the page and get a sense of where they can go.
Screen readers allow users to open a list of all the links on a page. For some screen reader users, this may be the primary way to navigate around a site. For others, it might be a last resort if a page isn’t organized. In either case, a user might get stuck trying to distinguish between links that sound the same.
Top 3 favorite red fruits
This audio example highlights a common scenario, where a site uses “Read more” links to take users to different articles. Listen to hear how a screen reader might read out a list of links like these.
“Links menu. Read more, read more, read more”
Let’s fix this with the 3 Cs!
To reduce confusion for assistive technology users, links should have clear, concise, and contextual labels that stand on their own.
Let’s fix the ambiguous “Click here” links. It’s problematic because its repeated and unclear which session it’s referring to.
Note: We will assume the user is navigating through links because of content organization issues. If you are talking with a developer it may be referenced as semantic structure issues.
Fixing ambiguous links
There’s no one way to make links more descriptive. The following examples work because they make the links unique.
To explore some options, let’s focus on the fixing the 2 “Click here” links.
Non-interactive examples
Before
- Register for event: Click here
- Main event: Click here
After
- Register for event
- Join Main event
Link to register for the event
“Register for event” makes it clear where the user will go when the user activates the link. The text is concise and distinguished from the other “Click here” link.
Link to join the main event
Just like previous example, “Join main event” is clear. The text tells users what to expect if they activate the link. Users can distinguish the links while skimming the content or reading it with a screen reader.
Taking it a step further
Pairing unique, descriptive links with clear page or document structure like headings will make the options clearer to all users. Everyone benefits from clear text and structure, especially users with disabilities.
Here we’ve grouped the links under a shared heading that reads “Discussion event links.” This is just another way to highlight these links and provide clarity about what they do. Restructure and adjust to help your users and go with what works best for you.
Non-interactive examples
Discussion event links
- Register for event
- Join main event
Examples of what to avoid
Avoid using URLs as link text
Make links unique yet concise.
Non-interactive examples
Whole URL’s
medium.com/user-experience-design/to-become-a-more-accessible-designer-consider-more-users-c834739
Descriptive labels
Check out accessible design article for tips on accessible design.
Avoid generic link text
Use descriptive text that clearly, concisely, and contextually indicates the link’s purpose.
Even if users can get the context from surrounding content, keep the most meaningful part hyperlinked so screen reader users can navigate link to link.
Non-interactive examples
Generic labels
- Read more about the history of oranges.
- Learn more
Descriptive labels
- Read more about the history of oranges
- Learn about our privacy policy
Make links unique yet concise
Repetitive links are common in news websites, blogs, and more. They’re ambiguous because there’s often many links with the same text.
Use unique text for each link to clarify different destinations. It’s okay to keep the “Read more,” just make it unique!
Top 3 favorite red fruits
Non-interactive examples
Repeated labels
- Read more
- Read more
- Read more
Descriptive labels
- Read more on Apples
- Read more on Cherries
- Read more on Lychees
Give a clear destination
Context lets users know what is on the other side of the link. If it’s going to take the user to a different type of document, indicate the file type. (PDF, DOCX, ZIP, etc.) It’s also useful to mention the file size if it’s large. It helps the user to decide whether to download it later or on a different device.
Non-interactive examples
Unclear label
Click here to download.
Descriptive label
Download the Employee Handbook (PDF, 10MB)
Commonly asked questions
Do I need to underline the verb in the hyperlink?
The short answer: “It depends.” This is where you have creative freedom to decide what is best for your use case. In general, it helps to include a verb, especially if the user is downloading a file or opening another app. The most important thing is to be clear and consistent, so users know where they’re going.
How short should link text be?
Typically links are a few words or a short phrase that clearly and concisely conveys the link’s purpose.
It’s short and sweet and gets the same information across.
Examples
Instead of:
“Click this link to download our PDF manual for further reading”
Try this:
“Download the User Manual (PDF).”
Isn’t the surrounding text enough for people to understand the link’s purpose?
It can be for many users, but screen reader users can read links out of context. So, for clarity, we recommend not relying on surrounding text.
Takeaways
When link text repeats, make it unique. There’s no one way to make links more descriptive.
Make links:
- clear
- concise
- contextual
If you get stuck, consider the following questions when you write link text.
Self reflective questions:
- Is it clear?
- Is it concise?
- Is it contextual?
Practice exercises
1. You are writing an email to invite colleagues to a workshop on web accessibility. Which hyperlink would you use to make the invitation clear and contextual?
Consider the 3 C’s and think about how you might make the link be more descriptive. Expand ‘Show answer for question 1’ below when you’re ready.
Which answer would you choose below?
- Register
- Click here
- Register for the Web Accessibility Workshop
“C. Register for the Web Accessibility Workshop” link provides the most contextual information of the 3 options. Please remember that screen readers users can navigate solely by interacting with the links. So, the detailed label provides context to alert the user to the specific destination for the link.
Always remember to ask yourself if the text you have hyperlinked answers all the questions for the 3 C’s:
- Is it clear?
- Is it concise?
- Is it contextual?
2. How would you change “Click here” to be clear, concise, and contextual?
To download our 2025 spring catalog, click here.
Scenario: The example is one of many that have the same “click here” label for links. There is something off about the heading organization so users are navigating via links. We are going to fix the example above by typing only what would be the descriptive label that would make it unique and clear to the user.
Remember, there’s no one way to solve this.
Consider the 3 C’s and think about how you might make the link “Click here” more descriptive. Expand ‘Show answer for question 2’ below when you’re ready.
Example answer:
“2025 Spring Catalog.”
How we would rewrite it all:
“Download our 2025 Spring Catalog.”
This example works for us because the link is clear and provides the user context as to what they will be downloading.
Clarifying questions:
- Is it clear?
- Is it concise?
- Is it contextual?
How did your feel about your entry?
3. Which of the following links from the email would be considered an ambiguous link?
Which answer would you choose below?
- Click here
- Sign up to receive the meeting recording
- Project Kickoff Meeting Resource Hub
“A. Click here” link is the option that needs more clarity. Please remember that screen readers users can navigate solely by interacting with the links. So, the word join alone does not provide enough context to alert the user to the specific destination for the link. The other two links provide more contextual information.
Always remember to ask yourself if the text you have hyperlinked answers all the questions for the 3 C’s:
- Is it clear?
- Is it concise?
- Is it contextual?
Resources
Related assistive technology:
Related standards:
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