- What: Descriptive elements ensure that every interactive item—including links, buttons, and form labels—has a unique, clear name that describes its destination or function.
- Why: Screen reader users often navigate by jumping from one interactive element to the next. If they hear a list of links that all say “Click Here” or “Read More,” they have no way of knowing where those links lead without reading all the surrounding text. Unique names provide the context needed for fast, independent navigation.
The “Link List” Test
Imagine reading a list of these items with no other text around them. Which one tells you where you’re going?
- Confusing: [Click Here] [Link] [Here]
- Clear: [Download the 2026 Physics Syllabus] [Register for the STEM Workshop] [View Campus Map]
The more clear descriptions include strong verbs and clear directions. It’s very easy to quickly understand what will happen when you open one of the clear links.
Reviewing Descriptive Elements
Put your cursor at the top of the page and press the Tab key.
- Does every “stop” have a name that makes sense?
- If you land on a button, do you know exactly what it does?
- If you land on a link, do you know where it’s taking you?
Pro Tip: Use an automated tool to scan your page for “Ambiguous Links.” These tools will highlight every “Click Here” or “Read More” so you can fix them in one go. Review Evaluating Third Party Web Content for tool recommendations.
How to Write Great Descriptive Elements
Links: Be Specific
A link should make sense even if read entirely out of context.
- Avoid: “To see the results of the study, [click here].”
- Better: “[Review the 2026 Student Success Study results].”
Buttons: Focus on Action
Buttons usually trigger an action (Submit, Save, Download). Make sure the button text describes exactly what will happen.
- Avoid: [Submit] (on a multi-page form)
- Better: [Send My Application] or [Register for Workshop]
Form Labels: Clear Instructions
Every text box or checkbox needs a label that tells the user exactly what information is required.
- Avoid: A text box with only “placeholder text” inside it (the light gray text that disappears when you start typing).
- Better: A permanent label above the box that says “Boise State Email Address.”
Resist the “URL” Trap
Avoid pasting long, “naked” URLs directly onto your page (e.g., https://www.boisestate.edu/oit/service-catalog/software-and-hardware/).
- The Problem: Screen readers will read every single character, slash, and dash out loud. It is tedious and confusing.
- The Fix: Highlight a descriptive phrase and “attach” the link to it. Example: Review the [OIT Software and Hardware Catalog].