Text links

Take care when including links within text chunks on a page

Links are often included within the text on a page as a way to provide access to background or supplementary information. When links are placed within chunks of text, users sometimes click on the links before reading the text nearby. They can then end up moving away from the information they were looking for. If you include links within text, try to place them at the beginning or end of a paragraph. Avoid using too many links in any text chunk as they can distract attention away from the content.

A better approach may be to group the links together at the bottom of the page or paragraph using the heading "related links" or "see also". Highlight boxes can also be used for links to related or background information.

Always use the Monash style for links: blue underlined text. Never underline text that is not a link.

Clearly identify the target of the link

• Most people scan rather than closely read web pages. Links stand out. Meaningful link text will give users a better idea of what is on your page and where they can go to next.
• Blind people using screen readers can open up a list of all the links contained on the page. They can then select the link they want and quickly move on. If you have used "click here" for one or more links, they won't be able to tell what content is on these pages or where the links are likely to lead them.

Do not use a URL (web address) as the text for a link. Where necessary, rephrase your text so that you can add the link to text that clearly describes the target of the link.

Show the format and size of the linked resource

Where any link takes the user to a page that is not in HTML format, the format and size of the linked resource must be indicated and included as part of the linked text, using the following approach:

Where a document is provided in multiple formats either of the following approaches is satisfactory, although the first is preferred as it aids visual scanning and the link target is immediately clear to screen reader users. Where the latter is used, ensure that each link has a title that provides complete information about the linked resource (also shown below).

• For Word documents, use doc
• For PDF documents, use pdf
• For RTF documents, use rtf
• For text documents, use txt
• For Excel spreadsheets, use xls
• For PowerPoint presentations, use ppt
• For executable files, use exe
• For compressed ZIP files, use zip

Show whether access controls are in place

Where any link takes the user to a page that is not publicly accessible, the access restrictions must be indicated and included as part of the linked text, using the following approach:

• For access restricted to Monash staff and students, use "Monash only"
• For access restricted to Monash staff, use "staff only"
• For other access restrictions, use an appropriate and concise label

Use the email address for email link text

The link text for email links must be the actual email address:

If you are linking to an online form or a contacts page make this clear.

Resources

• Link Context Checker
• Hypertext links: whither thou goest, and why
• Persuasive navigation
• The right trigger words
• Testing the three-click rule