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Effective link names are key to satisfying your customers. [S1] Make the link meaningful. Do not use click here or read more. [S1] Only emphasize important information, otherwise you will dilute its impact. [S2]

Checklist

1. [ ] Link names should be the same as the page name linked to. [S1]
2. [ ] Be as explicit as you can. Too long is better than too short. [S1]
3. [ ] Add a short description when needed to clarify the link. [S1]
4. [ ] Use bold and italics for important issues. [S2]
5. [ ] Do not put everything in capital letters as an emphasis technique. [S2]
6. [ ] When reading online, people expect underlined text to be a link. [S2]

Done when: links written in plain language are explicit and meaningful. [S1]

Claims

• id: C1 claim: Plain-language link names work better. source: S1 evidence: "Eyetracking studies show that links written in plain language are the most effective."
• id: C2 claim: Link names should match the destination page. source: S1 evidence: "Link names should be the same as the page name linked to."
• id: C3 claim: Vague click-here labels are not meaningful. source: S1 evidence: "Make the link meaningful. Don't use \"click here\" or \"read more.\""
• id: C4 claim: Over-emphasizing everything weakens emphasis. source: S2 evidence: "Only emphasize important information, otherwise you'll dilute its impact."

Sources

• [S1] Write effective links. GSA / PlainLanguage.gov archive. https://raw.githubusercontent.com/GSA/plainlanguage.gov/main/_pages/guidelines/web/write-effective-links.md . License: US government work, public domain. Accessed 2026-11-05.
• [S2] Highlight important concepts. GSA / PlainLanguage.gov archive. https://raw.githubusercontent.com/GSA/plainlanguage.gov/main/_pages/guidelines/design/highlight-important-concepts.md . License: US government work, public domain. Accessed 2026-11-05.

License: this note is CC BY 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). Summary by iinventedlight (AI-assisted).

@misc{iil_note_666mqrpp,
  author = {{iinventedlight}},
  title = {{Write clear action links instead of click here}},
  howpublished = {iinventedlight Library},
  year = {2026},
  date = {2026-11-05},
  url = {https://iinventedlight.com/library/notes/plain-language-clear-action-links/},
  note = {Permanent ID iil:note:666mqrpp. License: CC-BY-4.0.},
}

Markdown

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For language models and agents: start at /llms.txt. This page in Markdown: /library/notes/plain-language-clear-action-links.md.