Generic Link Text: SEO and Usability Impact

Generic link text like "click here," "read more," or "learn more" provides little context for users and search engines. Using descriptive link text instead can improve both SEO and user experience.

What Is Generic Link Text?

Generic link text includes common, non-descriptive phrases like:

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<!-- Common Generic Link Text -->
<a href="/article">click here</a>
<a href="/product">read more</a>
<a href="/service">learn more</a>
<a href="/page">more info</a>
<a href="/doc">details</a>
<a href="/next">continue</a>

Why Is Generic Link Text a Problem?

Using generic link text affects your website in several ways:

1. SEO Impact

   • Lost keyword opportunities
   • Weak anchor text signals
   • Poor topic relevance
   • Reduced context

2. Accessibility Issues

   • Screen reader confusion
   • Navigation difficulties
   • Context loss
   • User frustration

3. User Experience Problems

   • Unclear destinations
   • Navigation confusion
   • Extra cognitive load
   • Poor scannability

How to Fix Generic Link Text

1. Audit Your Links

First, identify generic link text:

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// Function to find generic link text
function findGenericLinkText() {
  const genericPhrases = [
    'click here',
    'read more',
    'learn more',
    'more info',
    'details',
    'continue'
  ];
  
  const links = document.querySelectorAll('a');
  return Array.from(links).filter(link => {
    const text = link.textContent.trim().toLowerCase();
    return genericPhrases.includes(text);
  });
}

2. Write Descriptive Text

Before and After Examples:

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<!-- Before: Generic Text -->
<p>To learn about our services, <a href="/services">click here</a>.</p>
<p>Our latest product is amazing! <a href="/product">read more</a></p>

<!-- After: Descriptive Text -->
<p><a href="/services">Explore our web development services</a></p>
<p><a href="/product">See the new iPhone 15 features and specs</a></p>

3. Framework Solutions

React Component:

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function DescriptiveLink({ href, text, context }) {
  // Warn about generic text
  useEffect(() => {
    const genericPhrases = ['click here', 'read more', 'learn more'];
    if (genericPhrases.includes(text.toLowerCase())) {
      console.warn(`Generic link text detected: ${text}`);
    }
  }, [text]);
  
  return (
    <a 
      href={href}
      aria-label={context || text}
    >
      {text}
    </a>
  );
}

Vue Component:

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<template>
  <a
    :href="href"
    :aria-label="context || text"
    class="descriptive-link"
  >
    {{ text }}
  </a>
</template>

<script>
export default {
  props: {
    href: String,
    text: String,
    context: String
  },
  mounted() {
    const genericPhrases = ['click here', 'read more', 'learn more'];
    if (genericPhrases.includes(this.text.toLowerCase())) {
      console.warn(`Generic link text detected: ${this.text}`);
    }
  }
}
</script>

Best Practices for Link Text

1. Content Guidelines

   • Be specific
   • Include keywords
   • Provide context
   • Stay concise

2. Implementation Rules

   • Front-load important terms
   • Match destination content
   • Use natural language
   • Maintain consistency

3. Quality Control

   • Regular audits
   • User testing
   • Accessibility checks
   • SEO monitoring

Tools for Checking Link Text

1. Indexguru's SEO Analyzer

   • Link text analysis
   • Quality scoring
   • Pattern detection
   • Regular monitoring

2. Development Tools

   • Content checkers
   • A11y validators
   • SEO analyzers
   • Link scanners

3. Testing Tools

   • Screen readers
   • User testing
   • Heat mapping
   • Click tracking

Link Text Patterns by Type

1. Product Links

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<!-- Bad -->
<a href="/product">learn more</a>

<!-- Good -->
<a href="/product">
  View iPhone 15 Pro specifications and pricing
</a>

2. Article Links

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<!-- Bad -->
<a href="/article">read more</a>

<!-- Good -->
<a href="/article">
  Complete guide to SEO best practices in 2024
</a>

3. Call-to-Action Links

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<!-- Bad -->
<a href="/signup">click here</a>

<!-- Good -->
<a href="/signup">
  Start your free 14-day trial
</a>

Impact of Descriptive Link Text

Using descriptive link text leads to:

• Better SEO rankings
• Improved accessibility
• Clear navigation
• Enhanced usability
• Higher engagement
• Professional appearance

Common Link Text Mistakes

1. Action-Focused Text

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<!-- Bad -->
<a href="/download">click here to download</a>

<!-- Good -->
<a href="/download">Download 2024 SEO Guide (PDF)</a>

2. Repetitive Text

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<!-- Bad -->
<div class="blog-list">
  <p>Blog 1 <a href="/blog1">read more</a></p>
  <p>Blog 2 <a href="/blog2">read more</a></p>
</div>

<!-- Good -->
<div class="blog-list">
  <p><a href="/blog1">10 SEO Tips for Beginners</a></p>
  <p><a href="/blog2">Advanced Technical SEO Guide</a></p>
</div>

3. Context-Free Text

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<!-- Bad -->
<a href="/support">more info</a>

<!-- Good -->
<a href="/support">
  Contact our 24/7 customer support team
</a>

Final Thoughts

While generic link text might seem convenient, it significantly reduces the effectiveness of your website's navigation and SEO. By implementing descriptive, context-rich link text, you can create a better experience for all users while improving your search engine visibility.

Need help identifying and fixing generic link text on your website? Try Indexguru's SEO tools to automatically detect link text issues and get actionable recommendations for improvement.