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Links

Ensure your links describe where they are going. Whether you're writing an email, blog post, web page, or document — your links should always be clear, self-descriptive, and make sense out of context.

Descriptive links improve scannability as they provide visual cues and a clear call-to-action. For people who use assistive technology, descriptive links can accurately convey the purpose and function of the link without additional context. 

Effective link text

  • Avoid link text such as “click here” or "learn more." These call-to-actions do not provide any relevant information to someone using a screen reader.
  • Links should be unique and describe where it takes you. If you have multiple links that look or sound similar (but point to different sections), use different words for each link.
    • Links to files (e.g. Microsoft Word, PDF, etc.) should also indicate the file type or destination within the link text.
  • Avoid linking long URLs. Longer, less intelligible URLs used as link text might be difficult to comprehend with assistive technology.
  • Links should be clear and concise. Avoid linking entire sentences or paragraphs.

Effective examples 

  1. WebAIM has a comprehensive article describing effective link text best practices. (external link) 
  2. WCAG 2.0 requires that links describe their purpose (external link)  from the link text alone.
  3. Links within body text should have an underline, (external link)  and not rely on colour alone.
  4. For emails, use the email address as the link text, rather than masking it in descriptive text. For example: help@torontomu.ca
  5. Download a  (PDF file) set of posters on how to design for accessibility. (external link) 

Ineffective examples 

  1. WebAIM has a comprehensive article (external link)  describing effective link text best practices.
  2. Learn how (external link)  WCAG 2.0 requires that links describe their purpose from the link text alone.
  3. Links within body text should have an underline, and not rely on colour alone: https://www.w3.org/TR/WCAG20-TECHS/F73.html (external link) 
  4. For emails, use the email address as the link text, rather than masking it in descriptive text. For example, TMU Help.
  5.  (PDF file) Download (external link)  a set of posters on how to design for accessibility.

Accessible links within references

For web pages or online-only resources, the APA Style guide encourages descriptive links by wrapping the URL or DOI of the work around its title. 

Example for online-only web pages


Warne, R. T., Astle, M. C., & Hill, J. C. (2018). What do undergraduates learn about human intelligence? An analysis of introductory psychology textbooks (external link) . Archives of Scientific Psychology, 6(1), 32–50.

Example for print or documents


Warne, R. T., Astle, M. C., & Hill, J. C. (2018). What do undergraduates learn about human intelligence? An analysis of introductory psychology textbooks. Archives of Scientific Psychology, 6(1), 32–50. https://doi.org/10.1037/arc0000038 (external link) 

Avoid opening links in a new tab or window

In most cases, having a link open in the same tab or window is preferable. Opening links in a new tab or window can be problematic without proper warning because:

  • It may cause confusion when people attempt to return to the previous page, particularly for individuals who use screen readers and screen magnifiers.
  • Additionally, controlling a person’s experience or making decisions for them is not a good practice.

Exceptions

The only times where it might be necessary or beneficial to have a link open in a new tab or window:

  • Leaving the page will cause a person to lose their work, such as in fillable forms.
  • Leaving the page will erase a person's filtered selections, such as on a hotel listing page.
  • Leaving the page will disrupt a person’s ability to complete a task if they need to reference instructions on another page.

Provide warnings when a link opens in a new tab

If there are cases where you must open a link in a new tab, you can provide warnings by:

Using text to alert that the link opens in a new tab

For example, Should links open in new windows? (Opens new tab) (external link) 

Using a combination of an icon with visually hidden text

For example, Giving users advanced warning when opening a new window. (external link) 

Note: This method is automated when creating links within TMU's content management system, Adobe Experience Manager (AEM).