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Use Link Text That Names the Destination

Let readers understand a link before following it.

Independent technology and communication journal ยท October 7, 2026

Cream envelopes and blank note cards with abstract blue details; a fictional editorial illustration.

The useful starting point

Several links labelled here can hide very different destinations. A reader scanning a message benefits from knowing whether the link opens a project brief, an evidence source or a submission form. The surrounding sentence can explain why it is relevant.

A small step to try

Replace an ambiguous label with a concise destination name. Check that it accurately describes the current page and does not promise a download when it opens an article. Avoid embedding private identifiers in public links. W3C writing guidance offers context for meaningful links; the actual destination and access requirements still need to be checked in the implemented message or page.

Sources and further reading