Hyperlinks serve as the backbone of digital content, connecting users to additional resources, information, and services. Whether on a website, in a PDF, or within other digital documents, links must be accessible to everyone.
This includes individuals utilizing assistive technologies like screen readers, those with mobility impairments, and people with low vision or color blindness.
Creating accessible hyperlinks involves more than merely making them clickable. Their design, labeling, and structure can either enhance the user experience or create barriers.
Clear link text, appropriate formatting, and visual distinction are essential elements that ensure digital content is inclusive and compliant with accessibility standards, such as WCAG 2.2 and Section 508.
Clear, Descriptive, & Concise Link Text
The most fundamental principle of accessible hyperlinks is ensuring that link text conveys purpose and destination.
Generic phrases like “Click here” or “Read more” provide little context for users navigating with screen readers since they often browse links separately from the surrounding text. Instead, link text should be specific and meaningful on its own.
For example, rather than linking the phrase “Learn more,” a better approach would be to say “Learn more about accessible document design.”
At the same time, link text should remain concise—long, overly descriptive links can become cumbersome, especially when read aloud by assistive technologies.
Another important consideration is avoiding redundant links. If multiple links direct users to the exact location, it introduces unnecessary repetition.
Instead of having separate links for an icon and text directing to the same page, both elements can be wrapped within the same hyperlink container to streamline navigation. This makes it easier for users with disabilities to navigate the document.
Image Links & Alternative Text
Not all links are text-based. Images, icons, and buttons often serve as links; when they do, they need proper alternative text to convey their purpose.
Unlike decorative images that screen readers can safely ignore, linked images are interactive controls: they must have meaningful alt text that describes the action or destination.
For example, if an image functions as a download button for a whitepaper, the alt text should reflect that purpose: “Download the PDF version of our accessibility guide.” A vague description such as “Company logo” or “Blue button” would be unhelpful.
When an image and text form a single link, wrapping them in the same <a> tag prevents screen readers from announcing them separately.
Link Styling, Contrast, & Focus Indicators
A hyperlink should be easy to identify, even for users with visual impairments. While the underlined blue text has traditionally been the standard, not all designs follow this convention.
Links must stand out from surrounding content through color, underlines, or other distinguishing features.
Simply relying on color is not enough. Users with color blindness or low vision may struggle to differentiate links that only change color. Color is still an important cue, as it can capture visual attention.
However, to meet accessibility requirements, the linked text should have a color contrast ratio (a mathematical comparison of the foreground text color against the background color) of at least 3:1 against the surrounding text.
A good practice is to modify the underline style, introduce a background color change, or use a distinct outline when a link is hovered over or tabbed.
Additionally, link hover and focus states should provide clear feedback. Focus indicators are significant for keyboard users who navigate websites without a mouse.
If a link lacks a visible focus state, it becomes difficult to determine which element is currently active. Some websites attempt to remove focus outlines for aesthetic reasons, but this creates significant accessibility barriers.
Spacing between links also plays a role in usability. When links are packed too closely together, individuals with motor impairments may struggle to select the correct one.
Adding sufficient negative space around links improves accurate activation and readability, making interactions more user-friendly.
Logical Link Destinations & Navigation Efficiency
Users expect links to lead them to relevant, clearly defined destinations. A hyperlink should never be misleading or take users somewhere unexpected. Broken links, redirected pages, or vague destinations can create confusion and frustration.
Structured links efficiently improve navigation in long documents or complex web pages. Grouping related links and using anchor links to allow users to jump to key sections can enhance usability.
At the same time, overly fragmented linking—where every other sentence contains a hyperlink—should be avoided, as it disrupts readability.
Another aspect of hyperlink accessibility is handling adjacent links leading to the same destination. If two links appear side by side and serve the same purpose, consolidating them prevents redundancy.
Ensuring Ongoing Compliance & Support
Building accessible hyperlinks is not a one-time effort—it requires ongoing auditing, training, and software support.
Organizations looking to improve accessibility in digital documents and websites often rely on a combination of expert guidance, automated tools, and continuous monitoring.
Website and digital property auditing help identify accessibility issues across online platforms. At the same time, tools like CommonLook Office and CommonLook Online provide automated checks to ensure PDFs and Office documents comply with accessibility standards.
Training programs empower content creators and developers to implement accessibility best practices from the ground up.
For teams that need additional support, direct access to trained accessibility professionals can be invaluable for answering questions, consulting on client calls, or troubleshooting issues in real time.
Beyond human expertise, a comprehensive knowledge base can be an ongoing resource for teams working on accessible design, providing documentation, best practices, and product-specific guidance.
Scalable service offerings allow organizations to choose the level of support that best fits their needs, from self-service PDF remediation tools to fully managed accessibility solutions.
Creating a More Inclusive Digital Experience
Hyperlinks are a fundamental element of digital content, yet they often go overlooked regarding accessibility.
By ensuring link text is clear, descriptive, and non-redundant, providing alternative text for linked images, maintaining sufficient contrast and focus indicators, and structuring links logically, organizations can create a more inclusive digital experience for all users.
For organizations unsure of where to start, expert consultation can help. Accessibility specialists can provide the tools and guidance to create accessible, compliant digital content through auditing, training, or software solutions.
If your organization needs support ensuring hyperlinks meet accessibility standards, contact Allyant to learn more about how our accessibility solutions can help.
