Link text does not inform what outcome will be / contain call to action

Error:

A link should give as much context as possible

Reason:

This is an extremely easy best practice to include, but is a frequent source of frustration for users when it is not. Users should be informed of what the outcome of clicking the link will be. If someone with a screen reader is browsing from link-to-link on a page they will not know is going to happen if the link is not descriptive of this.

Example:

• a link which reads “Learn more” does not give much context unless text around it is read
• a link reading “Admissions” is not necessarily all the information someone needs to decide if this is a link they need to read

Fix:

Give context and action in your link text:

• Learn more about Math at Carleton
• Apply now!

Note: This also has the benefit of being a call to action for anyone. For example: “Apply to Carleton” is a much more beneficial link text than simply “Carleton Admissions”