Hyperlinks are a common and incredibly useful tool for communicating on tech platforms. Using a hyperlink in a document is a convenient way to cite a source or direct a reader to relevant online content.

The challenge? Simply pasting a hyperlink into a web page, word document, email, or social media post can be messy. The text in hyperlinks is typically long, cumbersome, and – perhaps the most frustrating for people who rely on assistive technology to navigate digital resources – undescriptive.

Descriptive hyperlinks inform users about where they will land once they select a link, and it’s the preferred method for accessibly sharing digital content.

Confused about what, exactly, a descriptive hyperlink is and when you would use it?

Example: You would like to link to Minnesota IT Services’ tips for Social Media use and outreach in a document.

Instead of writing something like “If you’d like to read more about posting to social media in an effective, accessible manner, go to: https://mn.gov/mnit/programs/accessibility/social-media.jsp,” you could write, “If you’d like to read more about posting to social media in an effective, accessible manner, check out MNIT’s Accessible Social Media Tips.”

Why does that work best?

• The purpose of the link is described in the link text.
• If someone using a screen reader is listening to a “list of links” on a web page or in a document (a common way to navigate content), it is easy for them to understand where that link will take them.

What if you expect the reader to print out your document?

In that case, you might consider including the link in parentheses, like this: “If you’d like to read more about posting to social media in an effective, accessible manner, check out MNIT’s Accessible Social Media Tips (https://mn.gov/mnit/programs/accessiblity/social-media.jsp).”

Why does that work in this situation?

• If printed, the URL is available
  • caution: when there is an underscore (_) in the URL it may cause some confusion because of the line that prints indicating this is a link.
• If read online, the link will directly take you to that location.
• If using a screen reader and listening to a “list of links” the name “Accessible Social Media Tips” continues to inform the individual of where the link will take them.

Adding a descriptive hyperlink is an easy win for accessible content. Be sure to keep these tips in mind when you’re using hyperlinks!