Hyperlinks are the foundation of the world wide web, and while they look simple, it’s easy to get them wrong.
Links must be formatted in a way that makes them user-friendly and usable by everyone. Remember that visitors experience the website differently depending on the technology they use. It could be a desktop browser, a touch screen phone, or assistive technology like a screen reader.
Tips for links
Here are a few simple steps for making better links.
Do not open links in new windows
With rare exceptions, links should always open in the same window. Research indicates new windows are less accessible and confusing to readers, especially on mobile devices. The only time you should open a link in a new window is when the link contains information necessary to complete a task in the current window.
Link text should describe what it links to
Make sure that link text is descriptive. Readers using assistive technology don’t always read the page from top to bottom, and frequently read only the links on the page. It’s OK to have several words in a link.
Good descriptive link: Ora Szekely’s profile; bad vague link: Ora Szekely’s profile.
- Avoid use generic link text like “learn more.”
- Never describe the visitor’s action like “click here” or “tap the button.”
- Use verbs on links to encourage action, like Explore academic programs.
Use links judiciously
When a reader encounters a link, it causes them to stop and make a decision about whether or not to follow the link. That means that with each link, you’re offering your reader an opportunity to go explore something else.
- In run-of-text content, limit the number of links. 3 in a paragraph is a lot, as is 2 in a sentence.
- Links are more likely to be found at the top of the page than the bottom.
- Link only to things that provide topical and necessary context to an interested reader.
- When describing a student’s work, link to that student’s academic program.
- Use sidebars, cards, and boxouts to position a link off to the side so it’s not in the run of text.
Maintain your links
URLs change, and links break. Review all of your links at least once a year to make sure they’re still pointing to the correct place.