Why you should never write “Click Here”

Choosing the right words for links is super important. Have you ever come across "Click here" links? They can be a bit of a mystery and you're left wondering what the link is for or where it's going to take you.

It might seem like a straightforward way to get users to click a link or button, but "Click here" is actually bad for usability, accessibility, and even search engine optimization (SEO). Here are three specific reasons why "Click here" links are a poor choice.

"Click here" links are not informative

People don't read every single word on a webpage. Instead, they quickly scan the page, hunting for keywords, catchy headings, and links.

Simply using "Click here" doesn't really tell your visitors what the link is about or what it does. It's like sending them on a treasure hunt without a map! Plus, "Click here" on its own is pretty vague. The words you use for a link should give your visitors a clue about what they're clicking on, where it might take them, and help them get the bigger picture. So, why not use short, but descriptive words to make it super clear what the link is about or where it's going to take your visitors?

"Click here" links are bad for accessibility

Imagine this: screen readers, which are a big help for people with visual impairments, pull together a list of all the links on a webpage. This way, users can pick and choose the ones that have the info they're after. But if that list is just a bunch of "Click here" links, it's like giving someone a book in a language they don't understand. Not very helpful, right?

And for those who rely on screen readers to read out the text on a webpage, imagine how confusing it would be if all the links were the same "Click here". It's like listening to a song on repeat!

Using "Click here" means these users have to go back and re-read or listen to the page again, just to figure out what each link is about. It's like making them solve a puzzle when they just wanted to read a story!

"Click here" links are inapplicable to mobile devices

More and more folks are surfing the web on their mobiles or tablets. So, when we say "Click here", it's a bit old school! It's like we're only thinking about those using a mouse. But what about our friends who tap on mobile screens, use keyboard shortcuts, or even voice commands? Saying "Click here" might make them feel left out, like their way of browsing isn't supported.

Most of us know the drill with links. We know what they look like and what's going to happen when we tap, click, or voice-command them. So, there's no need to make a song and dance about the "clicking" part. Instead of "click", why not use a fun action verb that's all about the task at hand?

Other phrases to avoid

“Click here” is not the only phrase for a poor user experience in your hyperlinks. In general, it’s best to avoid any vague or imprecise wording.

Other phrases to avoid:

• “Read more”
• “Learn more”
• “Check this out”
• “Find out more here”

Unless the link is nudging your visitors to do something (like signing up for a newsletter), it's usually better to stick with descriptive nouns in your hyperlinks, rather than verbs.

You can always contact us for some best practices and tips to ensure your website stays compliant with accessibility