Linking Rules

When using links:

• Do not construct a sentence around a link phrase, such as "click here for more information." Write the sentence as you normally would, and place the link anchor on the word or words that best describe the additional content you are linking to. (example: Oakland Public Library has a new Instagram that we hope you’ll follow.)

• If the link is at the end of a sentence, do not include the end punctuation in the link. (example: We know you’ll find everything you need on our new website.)

• Don’t use URLs as text.

• Keep link text concise, no more than approximately six words or 100 characters.

• Don’t link directly to a download. It is essential you properly indicate when a link activates a download – and make sure this information is in the link text. (Example: 2020, a poem by Greer Nakadegawa-Lee: PDF)

• When using anchor links, include “in this page” or something similar so users know they are being directed further down the same page. (example: Learn about headings further down this page.)

• If using an image as a link, also include a text link.

• Use plain and specific language so the user understands the goals of clicking on the link. Do not surprise users - the content of the page you send them to must match the text in the link. Do not overpromise what users will achieve by clicking on the link (do not use click-bait techniques).

• Put links after the content, not before.