While screen readers can read a full page to a user, screen reader users may prefer
to instead listen to a list of links. In that case, a screen reader may only read
the link text and not the surrounding text.
Speech recognition software allows a user to avoid using a mouse. Users can speak
the text of the link that they would like to follow.
Keyboard-only users may not be able to use a mouse to click links. They use a keyboard’s
tab button to navigate through a page’s links, buttons, and form inputs. For such
users, it is very important for them to see which item has focus at all times.
Colorblind users may not be able to perceive color cues. Typically, pages present
links as a different color than their surrounding text. Adding underlines or other
non-color indicators help users who may not see color. Users who are not comfortable
with technology may also appreciate having links underlined.
It’s most important for link text to make sense without the surrounding sentences
or content. The link text alone should convey the function and purpose of the link.
Link text should also be unique and easy to speak out loud.
Consider these guidelines when writing link text:
- Avoid link text like “Click Here,” “More,” and “Read More.” These kinds of links can be confusing when a screen reader reads them out of context.
- Use unique link text where possible. Speech recognition software users may have a
bad experience with duplicated link text.
- It is OK to link a full sentence, but avoid longer.
- Use judgment when linking full URLs. When linking a URL, consider users who must speak
it out loud and who must listen to a screen reader announce it.
Occasionally, it may not be possible to make link text alone convey the link’s purpose
out of context. In those cases, a few fallback strategies are available:
- The link together with the surrounding sentence, paragraph, or list item should be
enough to convey a link’s meaning or purpose.
- You may give more context through the link’s title attribute.
These approaches create a worse experience for users with disabilities, so they should
a last resort.
In general, content editors should avoid using images as links. If an image functions
as a link, the image must have alt text that conveys the location and purpose of the
link. The alt text should not describe the image. Treat image links as links, not
as images.
Pages should not present more than one link to the same destination next to each other.
One common design pattern is for an image, a heading, and a word like “More” to each
link to the same destination, such as in a news list. Assistive technology users may
find navigating through several links a bad experience. Instead, provide one link.
Either select one element to be the link, or wrap all elements within one link.
In general, it is better not to open new windows and tabs since they can be disorienting
for people, especially people who have difficulty perceiving visual content.
Here’s why opening external links in the same browser tab is better for accessibility
and overall usability:
- Visual users with low vision sometimes use zoom features to see content. Low-vision
users using zoom features can miss the link opening in a new tab if it’s outside their
zoomed area.
- Opening a link in a new tab can be disorienting for users with cognitive disabilities.
- When a link opens in a new tab, the user can’t use the back button to return to the
previous page, which can be especially frustrating on mobile.
- Links that open in a new tab clutter users’ browser window. This can be difficult
for keyboard, screen reader, mouse, and visual users to navigate.
Lose form progress
Often when a user navigates away from a form, they’ll lose unsaved or all their progress.
External links that are on the form page or part of the form could open in a new tab,
so the user doesn’t lose their progress.
Terminate login
Sometimes external links in secured areas (or areas users have to log in to) can terminate
a user’s session if they open in the same tab. If this is the case for your online
software, then external links could open in a new tab or window so users keep their
login active.
User needs information on both pages
Sometimes opening a link in a new tab or window depends on the situation. If opening
the link in a new tab would be helpful to users because they still need information
on the current page, then that could justify opening the link in a new tab or window.