Link Text Examples
The following are examples of common link mistakes, followed by an explanation of the error, and a corrected version.
Example 1
Don't: Access the accessibility checklist here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1RDnyqFgtP5HdtM8voCKzN_MNn03tlQvDawjFafXk17g/edit Links to an external site.
Explanation: The link text is a URL. The long links for Google documents illustrate the problem nicely.
Do: Access the Accessibility Checklist Links to an external site..
Example 2
Don't: Click here to watch a video on how to play Monopoly Links to an external site.
Explanation:The first word of the link text is not the most meaningful.
Do: Watch the how to play Monopoly video Links to an external site.
Example 3
Don't:This IT Knowledge Base article Links to an external site. explains how to grade forum submissions using clickable rubrics.
Explanation: The link text is not as meaningful as it could be.
Do: The Grade a Discussion Forum With a Grading Rubric Links to an external site. article from the IT Knowledge Base explains how to grade forum submissions using clickable rubrics.
Example 4
Don't: Penn State offers free access to Microsoft Office and other software programs through WebApps Links to an external site.. Please direct students to https://webapps.psu.edu Links to an external site. to use this service.
Explanation: Links going to different destinations use similar link text.
Here we have one link with apparently good link text and another that is a URL. The links seem to be going to the same place, WebApps. Is the URL for the second link given for student reference? If so, know that the url is present when the page is printed so it is not necessary to provide the URL on the page.
Upon investigation, we discover that the first link goes to the Classroom and Lab Computing page that provides an overview of WebApps. The second link goes to the actual WebApps page that students will use.
Do: Penn State offers free access to Microsoft Office and other software programs through WebApps, which you can learn about on the Learning Applications and Technologies website Links to an external site.. Please direct students to WebApps Links to an external site. to use this service.
Example 5
Don't: A number of courses and training opportunities are available through the World Campus Faculty Development team. Visit the website Links to an external site. to find tips and resources and to learn about the Penn State Certificate for Online Teaching.
Explanation: The wrong text is linked.
Do: A number of courses and training opportunities are available through the team at World Campus Faculty Development Links to an external site.. Visit the website to find tips and resources and to learn about the Penn State Certificate for Online Teaching Links to an external site..