My last post got me thinking about another of my pet peeves when surfing the web…’Click here’ in text links…and so I present to you…an ode Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
An Ode to Click Here
On most web pages, I scan to see
What might be there that interests me.
Click here, Click there…in every link
It’s enough to drive me to drink.
“Click here” doesn’t tell me what the linked page is about
And seeing it there makes me want to shout.
Where are you sending me? Why should I go?
My stress is clearly beginning to grow.
Thank goodness I am not visually impaired
From the pain you cause, I am thus spared
Since screen readers don’t include the context
I would be left completely perplexed.
They are nothing more than needless words
Feeling the urge to insert them is absolutely absurd
Does telling me to ‘click here’ really work?
It actually makes me think of you as a jerk!
I’m really not as dumb as you might think
It’s time to stop telling me how to operate links.
So next time you think click here is a ‘win’
Please, I beg you, think again!
Solution:
When calling the user to action, use brief but meaningful link text that:
• provides some information when read out of context
• explains what the link offers
• doesn’t talk about mechanics
• is not a verb phrase
• does NOT include ‘Click here’
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Image may be NSFW.Clik here to view.
