Hyperlinks

• Links should always be to a URL beginning with “https” (not http) when possible. (Double check the link after you change it to be sure it works.)  
• Use the default hyperlink color (instead of coloring links blue).  
• 1-3 words per hyperlinked text (5 word max, if possible).  
• URL should not be spelled out (unless addressing a known problem)  
• Link text should describe what the user will see when they click on it.  
• Provide enough context so the user knows why they should click.  
• Do NOT say “click here”, “here”, or paste the URL itself.  
• Do not hyperlink the word “page.” Ex: Student Services or Student Services page, NOT Student Services page. 
• Do not hyperlink punctuation. Ex: bed bug factsheet, NOT bed bug factsheet. 
• Make links open in the same window, NOT a separate window/tab (even for external links). This is easier to navigate with a screen reader and a mobile device. 
• If a link will take the user away from our website, mention that fact in the contextual sentence with the link (or in parentheses afterward). Ex: For more information, check out University of California’s bed bug factsheet.  
• Instead of hyperlinking a heading, hyperlinked text below the heading.  
• Check for broken links. (If you have a lot of content to check, you can speed up the process using the Broken Link Checker Chrome extension.)