Don’t “Click Here”
We’re not here to shame: We’ve all thrown around a “click here” or two. Life is busy, and sometimes you don’t have time to think twice about such a simple, common phrase. But your message deserves a better call to action! We’re here to talk through why it matters and what to do to improve your next link share.
Why “Click Here” is Unhelpful
Did you know that URLs didn’t exist until 1994? The term “click here” originated during that time, when most people were not only new to online communication but to using a personal computer at home or on a regular basis. At the time, “click here” was the clearest way to get users to interact with links since many were just learning how to use the internet. It was a big shift— and one that is relatively new in the grand scheme of things. But 2025’s technological standards don’t (and shouldn’t) look like the ones we held in the mid-90s.
Before you think we’re poking fun, let’s talk about how avoiding “click here” goes deeper. Most importantly, you’re lucky if users read even a third of your website content. Knowing that there’s limited time to reach the audience—and that they’re relying on skimming—makes a strong case against “click here,” “go here,” or any other of its equally vague iterations. Users will not skim for “click here” buttons or use keyboard shortcuts like Ctrl+F to find “click here” in paragraph text. You’re also creating a terrible experience for those who rely on screen reader software to read your content out loud. No one wants to hear a URL read aloud—no one.
So, we know why it’s bad. How do we do better?
Making Better Links
In paragraph text, link descriptive text and omit vague phrases in the “click here” family. (You’ll see examples of how we link using best practices throughout this post.) This technique is also a boon to how your site performs in search engine results. As Lamar University notes:
Search engines use the strength of your links in their algorithm when they determine your placement in search engine results.
That means linking descriptive text has a measurable outcome, and it will only be a beneficial practice in the long run.
For buttons, make the action as short and clear as possible. Better button text than “Click Here” is usually something like “Contact Us,” “Register Now,” “Download the PDF,” etc. Describe what the user can expect when the button is clicked, and be as brief as possible.
The World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) has a quick resource with more examples. If you’re ready to get a handle on the specifics, WebAIM’s in-depth guide for URLs is worthy of a bookmark. In the latter, you’ll find additional link deployment examples, plus recommendations on how to best style links.
On top of all the above, more than 60% of web activity takes place on mobile devices. Those visitors aren’t clicking anything—they’re tapping.
That’s it! Improving links is really that simple. All it takes is a mindset shift and commitment to a better experience for your audience.
