Non-Descriptive Link Text
Link text should describe its destination on its own, without relying on generic phrases like "Click here".
Maps to: WCAG 2.4.4 Link Purpose (In Context) | Applies to: WCAG 2.0, WCAG 2.1, WCAG 2.2 Introduced in: WCAG 2.0 | Level: A | Read the official specification →
What this rule checks
The scanner flags links whose entire accessible name is a generic call-to-action that says nothing about the destination — labels like "Click here", "Read more", "Learn more", "Tap here", "More info", "Details", "Go", or "Link". Only exact matches are flagged: "Click here for pricing details" passes; a link whose whole text is "Click here" fails. The rule applies to elements containing actual links (URL-backed text).
Why it matters
Screen reader users frequently navigate by pulling up a list of all links on a screen, or by jumping link to link. Out of context, a list reading "Read more, Read more, Learn more, Click here" is unusable — every entry sounds identical and none reveals where it leads. Descriptive link text lets users decide whether to follow a link without reading the surrounding content.
Common failure patterns
- repeated "Read more" / "Learn more" links under every article or card
- links whose visible text is a bare "here", "Details", or "Link"
Remediation guidance
- replace vague link text with a label that says what the link does (e.g., "Read more" → "Read our privacy policy")
- if the visible text can't be changed, add a descriptive accessible label instead — set
android:contentDescriptionwith a clear label, or rewrite the visibleandroid:text
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