Online readers often experience disorientation or "wayfinding" when traversing links. By creating adequate context for links and writing effective link text, you can reduce the likelihood that this problem will occur.
The following tips help to ensure that readers remain fully oriented and in control as they navigate your document (or go to other documents).
Write about your subject as if there were no links in the text.
In other words, don't refer to the mechanism of the Web. By crafting text that would still read well if there were no links, you can also keep your online text from sounding choppy.
Good examples: Link text weaved into the prose
For a wide selection of books and fast delivery, visit Amazon.com.
Amy Gahran publishes the Web-zine Contentious.
Bad examples: Link text that refers to the mechanism of the Web
Click here to buy books online.
Amy Gahran has a Web site.
Choose meaningful words or phrases for your link text, as well
as for the text surrounding that link.
By simply scanning the text of your links, readers should be able to derive some meaning about their destination. Carefully chosen link text gives readers contextual cues concerning where each link leads.
If possible, supply explanatory text before offering the actual descriptive link.
Good example: Descriptive link text and preceding explanatory context
A good place to learn about health issues is WebMd.
Bad example: Less meaningful word chosen for link text
There are lots of resources for health-conscious consumers.
Highlight key words for link text.
Good example: Key words highlighted for link text
If the stars and planets mesmerize you, check out Lowell Observatory.
Bad example: Less important words highlighted for link text
If the stars and planets mesmerize you, check out Lowell Observatory.
Choose an appropriate length for your link text.
A full sentence is too long and difficult to read. One word might be too short. One to three words usually works best, as long as those words are context-rich.
Good example: An appropriate length for link text
Vegetarian recipes for health-conscious cooks
Bad example: Too many words chosen for link text
Vegetarian recipes for health-conscious cooks
Warn readers when a link might take them to an unexpected situation.
For instance, warn readers when the link is external and takes them away from your site or to other documents. Icons or annotated text can serve as cues. However, if you word your links (and their surrounding text) with care, it will often be obvious to readers when a link will take them elsewhere.
Also, let readers know when a link leads to an unusually large file. Provide the file size in parentheses.
Good example: Cuing readers about large file size
Pixel painting of Paris in Spring (50 KB)
Some "don'ts" to avoid
Don't over- or under-link.
Choosing the right number of links is a balancing act. Use judgment and reader feedback to help find the proper balance. The topic "Link Density Issues and Tips" more fully addresses this guideline.
Don't repeat a link wherever the link text occurs.
In general, once per topic is sufficient. Always, no more than once per paragraph.
If the page is short, don't link to other destinations on the
same page.
Readers expect links to take them to another page. If links keep them on the same page, readers can become disoriented.
Don't link entire sentences or long phrases.
Underlined text is difficult to read on screen. Highlight a key word or phrase that best represents the content of the destination.
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Last Updated: May 2, 2001
(c)2000 by Alysson Troffer. All rights reserved. Do not reproduce or redistribute any material from this document, in whole or in part, without written permission.