Have you ever read a document, come to a lengthy URL in the text, and skipped right over it? Including meaningful links in your writing allows for greater ease of reading and more importantly, improves the experience for people who use screen reader software to listen to text on webpages, documents, and any other digital content. Eliminating long URLs from your writing is an excellent start, and choosing your words carefully enables you to create meaningful links that convey the purpose of the link.
Avoid sentences such as: Click here for a list of additional keyboard shortcuts.
A screen reader would begin the above sentence by stating “Link: click here for a list…” which already does not convey to the listener why they may wish to click on the link. And note, screen readers will indicate when a hyperlink in included with text so there’s no need to call it out with phrases like “click this link” or “click here”.
Instead, write sentences such as: Learn more Windows 10 keyboard shortcuts to help you save time.
Screen reader software would read this sentence by stating “Learn more link Windows 10 keyboard shortcuts…” which allows the listener to decide as they’re hearing the description of the link whether they want to click through to the resource or would rather continue listening to the words on the screen. Screen reader software also allows users skim through the hyperlinks on a page, just as a sighted user might do by looking for the underlined or color coded words. Imagine skipping ahead to a hyperlink and hearing only the words “click here”. Why bother clicking on the link if you do not know what you’ll find at the destination?
Create a meaningful hyperlink using keyboard shortcuts
- Highlight the text that will be the link and press Ctrl + K on the keyboard.
- Paste (Ctrl + V) the URL in the dialogue box that appears.
- Click OK or press Enter.
Note that these same steps also work in Outlook, PowerPoint, CarmenCanvas, Qualtrics, and just about any other software application or website that allows for adding text and hyperlinks. If you’re a Mac user, substitute the Cmd key in place of the Ctrl key and you’re all set.