The phrase “click here” has been a staple of web content for decades. While it may seem like a simple and effective call to action, modern web design, accessibility standards, and SEO best practices all suggest that there are better alternatives. Using descriptive link text improves user experience, helps search engines understand your content, and makes websites more accessible to everyone.In this article, we’ll explore why “click here” is no longer considered a best practice and what you should use instead.
“Click here” is a generic instruction used to encourage users to interact with a hyperlink or button. Examples include:
Although these phrases clearly indicate an action, they fail to explain what users can expect after clicking the link.
Users often scan web pages instead of reading every word. Generic anchor text like “click here” provides little context, making it difficult for readers to identify relevant links quickly.Compare these examples:Poor:
Better:
The second example immediately tells users what they’ll get when they click.
Many people with visual impairments use screen readers to navigate websites. Screen readers can list all links on a page independently of surrounding content.If every link says “click here,” users hear something like:
This provides no useful information.Instead, descriptive links such as:
allow screen reader users to understand each link without additional context.
Search engines analyze anchor text to understand the content of linked pages. Generic phrases like “click here” offer little or no keyword relevance.For example:Weak Anchor Text:
Strong Anchor Text:
Descriptive anchor text helps search engines better understand your content and can contribute to improved search visibility.
Today’s users interact with websites using smartphones, tablets, laptops, voice assistants, and keyboards—not just a mouse.The phrase “click here” assumes users are clicking with a mouse, while many users actually tap, press Enter, or use voice commands.Neutral language such as:
works better across all devices.
Instead of generic wording, use action-oriented and descriptive phrases.Here are some examples:
| Instead of | Use |
|---|---|
| Click here | Download the PDF guide |
| Click here | View pricing plans |
| Click here | Read the complete tutorial |
| Click here | Contact our support team |
| Click here | Explore our latest products |
| Click here | Start your free trial |
These alternatives clearly communicate the destination or action.
When creating links, follow these guidelines:
Here are a few examples that improve both usability and SEO:
Each example tells users exactly what will happen after selecting the link.
When writing links, avoid:
A balance between clarity and brevity is ideal.
There are a few situations where “click here” may still be acceptable, such as:
Even in these cases, descriptive language is generally a better choice.
Although “click here” remains a familiar phrase, it is no longer considered a best practice for modern websites. Replacing it with descriptive, action-oriented link text improves user experience, supports accessibility, and strengthens SEO.Whether you’re writing blog posts, landing pages, product descriptions, or email campaigns, choosing meaningful anchor text helps users understand exactly where each link leads. Small improvements like these can make your content easier to navigate, more inclusive, and more effective at achieving its goals.