Link text checker
Finds links with no accessible name, vague text like "click here", and links that open new windows without warning.
What this check looks for
The audit runs this check with every other check, on the page as the browser renders it.
- Links with no name
- Icon and image links with no text, aria-label or alt text.
- Vague link text
- "Click here", "read more" and "learn more" repeated with nothing to tell them apart.
- Same text, different places
- Several links with identical text that go to different pages.
- New windows without warning
- Links that open a new tab or window without saying so.
What a failure looks like
Three "Read more" links on a services page go to different treatments. Out of context, a screen reader user hears the same words three times.
<!-- Broken: the link text says nothing on its own -->
<h3>Teeth whitening</h3>
<a href="/whitening">Read more</a><!-- Fixed: the link names its destination -->
<h3>Teeth whitening</h3>
<a href="/whitening">Read more about teeth whitening</a>How it shows in AccessGuard
Each finding names the WCAG criterion, explains the problem in plain words and shows the element that fails, so a developer can find it on the page.
WCAG criteria
Findings from this check name one of these criteria. How much of each the audit can decide on its own:
| Criterion | Level | Automation |
|---|---|---|
| 2.4.4 Link Purpose (In Context) | A | Partly automated |
What still needs a person
No automated tool can confirm these. AccessGuard marks related findings as Review, so nobody mistakes them for a pass.
- Whether the surrounding text makes a short link clear enough (WCAG allows context).
- Whether link text matches where the link actually goes.
Questions
Is "read more" always a WCAG failure?
Not always. WCAG 2.4.4 allows the purpose to come from context, such as the surrounding sentence. It still makes lists of links hard to use, so AccessGuard flags it for you to judge.
How do I name an icon-only link?
Give the link an aria-label or visually hidden text that says where it goes, and hide the icon itself from screen readers.
Do links that open a new tab fail WCAG?
Not by themselves, but warning people helps everyone. Add "(opens in new tab)" to the link text or a visually hidden note.
Related checks and guides
- Alt text checker
Finds images, icons and image buttons with missing or empty text alternatives, and alt text that says nothing useful.
- Headings and landmarks checker
Checks that pages have a clear heading outline, a main landmark and a way to skip repeated navigation.
- ARIA checker
Finds invalid roles and attributes, controls with no accessible name and ARIA that hides content people need.
- Most Common WCAG Violations (With Code Fixes for Each)
Guide
- Accessibility and SEO: How WCAG Fixes Boost Google Rankings
Guide
Check a client page for link text issues
The free audit runs this check and every other one. Results in about a minute.