Link Name

Why It Matters

• Screen reader users navigate by link lists. A common pattern is to pull up a list of all links on the page and scan them. If every entry says "click here," users have no way to tell links apart or find the one they need.
• It helps all users understand link destinations. Even sighted users benefit from descriptive link names. "Our pricing plans" tells you where you are going. "Click here" does not.
• Links without names are invisible to assistive technology. A link that wraps an image with no alt text and has no aria-label is effectively unnamed. Screen readers may announce the URL instead, which is confusing and unhelpful.
• It is a basic accessibility requirement. Every interactive element must have a discoverable name. Links without accessible names fail accessibility guidelines and create barriers for users with disabilities.

How to Do It Right

1. Use descriptive visible text. The simplest and best approach is to make the link text itself describe the destination. "View our return policy" is clear and needs no extra attributes.
2. Add alt text to image links. If a link wraps an image with no visible text, the image's alt attribute becomes the link name. Make sure it describes where the link goes, not what the image looks like.
3. Use aria-label when visible text is insufficient. If design constraints limit the visible text (like an icon-only button), add an aria-label attribute that describes the link's purpose clearly.
4. Make each link name unique on the page. If the same link name appears multiple times ("Read more," "Read more," "Read more"), users scanning a link list cannot distinguish them. Add context to make each one unique.
5. Test with a screen reader. Navigate your page using a screen reader and listen to how links are announced. If the name does not clearly communicate where the link goes, it needs improvement.

Common Mistakes

• Using "click here" as link text. This is the most common link name problem. The phrase describes the action (clicking) but says nothing about the destination. Always describe where the link leads.
• Wrapping images in links without alt text. An image link with no alt text and no aria-label has no accessible name. Screen readers cannot announce it meaningfully, leaving users guessing.
• Using the URL as the link name. Displaying a raw URL like "https://example.com/products/category/item-12345" as the link text is unhelpful. Use human-readable text that describes the destination.
• Having multiple identical link names. Five links on a page all saying "Learn more" are indistinguishable in a link list. Add context: "Learn more about pricing," "Learn more about features," and so on.