When you add a link to a website, the words people click are part of the experience. Generic anchor text such as “read more” or “click here” can be useful, but it rarely tells readers what they will find. For a local shop, service provider, or community publication, a few thoughtful choices can make pages easier to navigate without turning every link into a sales pitch.
What generic anchor text does—and doesn’t—tell readers
Anchor text is the clickable wording in a link. Generic phrases describe an action rather than the destination: “learn more,” “visit this page,” and “here” are familiar examples. They can work when the surrounding sentence makes the destination obvious, such as a clearly labeled button or a short announcement with one possible next step.
Problems arise when a page contains several vague links. Imagine a guide to preparing a car for winter that says, “Read more” after three different tips. A reader using a screen reader may hear the same link label repeatedly, and anyone scanning the page has to guess which link leads to tire advice and which one explains battery care. More descriptive wording removes that extra effort.
Instead of “click here,” write “compare winter tire options” or “check the battery-care checklist,” provided those phrases accurately describe the linked pages. The goal is not to make every link long. It is to give readers enough context to decide whether following it will help.
Choose wording that fits the destination
A useful link label sets a fair expectation. If the link opens a recipe, name the recipe or the technique. If it leads to a home renovation service page, describe the service rather than promising a result the page cannot guarantee. Avoid wording that exaggerates, hides a paid offer, or suggests the reader will find something different from what the destination contains.
There is no need to eliminate every generic phrase. “Read the full story” can be clear when it follows a short preview and points to that story alone. “Contact us” is also a familiar label for a contact page. Context matters: the surrounding sentence should make the link’s purpose apparent, including for people who encounter the link outside its original paragraph.
For a deeper look at how wording, context, and variety work together, see these anchor text best practices. The central lesson is straightforward: write for the person deciding whether to click, not just for a search engine.
Use variety without making links confusing
Repeating the same exact phrase for every link to a page can make a site feel mechanical. But replacing it with a different, vague phrase each time is not an improvement. Use natural variations that remain accurate. A page about booking a haircut might be linked with “view salon services,” “see available appointments,” or “book a haircut,” depending on what the destination actually offers.
Keep important wording concise. A whole sentence rarely needs to be linked; a short phrase is easier to scan and understand. Avoid linking a bare URL in the middle of body copy when a descriptive label would be clearer. Also check that linked text is visually distinguishable from nearby text, and do not rely on color alone to signal that it is clickable.
Make a quick link audit part of editing
Before publishing, scan the page and ask a few simple questions:
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Can someone tell where each link goes without guessing?
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Do multiple links with the same label lead to different destinations?
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Does the linked page deliver what the wording promises?
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Are links placed where they support the reader’s next step rather than interrupting the main point?
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Do important links work on a phone as well as on a desktop?
Reading the links out of context is a useful test. If a list of link labels would be confusing on its own, revise the vague ones. This is especially helpful for resource pages, newsletters, and long articles where readers often skim before choosing what to open.
When outside help is involved
Small teams sometimes bring in a freelancer to refresh product pages, write blog posts, or tidy up a website’s navigation. Clear expectations matter as much as writing skill. Before work begins, agree on the audience, the pages to be updated, the tone, and how you will judge whether links are accurate and useful. Reviewing a sample and checking relevant past work can help prevent misunderstandings.
If you are comparing candidates, this guide on avoiding a bad freelance hire offers practical questions to consider. Osdire is one marketplace where buyers can find freelancers across areas such as writing, design, and marketing; whichever route you choose, make sure the scope and approval process are clear before the project starts.
Good link wording is a small editorial decision with a real effect on usability. Generic anchor text has a place when context supplies the missing detail. When it doesn’t, a short, specific label helps visitors move through a site with confidence—and makes the page feel more considered from the first click to the last.