In the digital age, certain phrases have become ingrained in our online behavior. One such phrase is “click here.” It’s simple, intuitive, and widely recognized by users across the internet. But while “click here” has played a foundational role in web navigation and user experience, its use is increasingly scrutinized in the fields of SEO click here , accessibility, and UX design.
This article delves into the origins, effectiveness, pitfalls, and best practices surrounding the phrase “click here,” offering insight for marketers, designers, and content creators alike.
The Origins of “Click Here”
The phrase “click here” emerged alongside the early web as a call-to-action (CTA) in hyperlinks. In the 1990s and early 2000s, when users were still becoming familiar with how websites worked, direct instructions like “click here to learn more” made sense. It reduced cognitive load by clearly indicating what the user was supposed to do.
Back then, digital literacy was lower than today, and explicit guidance was essential. The phrase worked well as it made clickable links stand out and guided user behavior in a straightforward manner.
Why “Click Here” Became Problematic
Despite its early usefulness, “click here” began to fall out of favor for several reasons:
1. Poor SEO Value
Search engine optimization (SEO) thrives on contextual relevance. Anchor text—the clickable text in a hyperlink—helps search engines understand the destination page’s topic. When anchor text is generic like “click here,” it provides no semantic value to Google or other search engines.
Compare:
❌ “Click here to read our guide on SEO strategies.”
✅ “Read our complete guide on SEO strategies.”
In the second example, the anchor text contains keywords that relate directly to the linked content, offering better context to both users and search engines.
2. Accessibility Issues
Screen readers used by visually impaired users often scan a page by reading all the links. If several links say "click here," the user has no idea where they lead without additional context. This degrades the usability and inclusiveness of a website.
Accessible web content should always provide meaningful link text that describes the target page or action. “Click here” fails to meet this standard.
3. User Experience (UX) and Readability
Modern UX principles emphasize clarity, efficiency, and relevance. The user should understand what they’re clicking and why. Vague or redundant instructions like “click here” can interrupt the natural flow of content and feel outdated.
Additionally, with the rise of mobile and touch-based navigation, the verb “click” is somewhat obsolete. Users tap, swipe, or press—not just click. Terms like “learn more,” “view pricing,” or “download the report” are more contextually appropriate today.
Is There Ever a Place for “Click Here”?
Despite its drawbacks, “click here” isn’t entirely useless. In some cases, it can still serve a purpose—especially when used strategically:
1. For Emphasis in Instructions
In technical documentation or tutorials, where the goal is to guide users step-by-step, “click here” can still be effective—especially when followed by detailed context.
Example: “To begin the installation process, click here to download the setup file.”
2. In Conversational or Informal Content
Blog posts or casual content might adopt a conversational tone where “click here” feels natural. In such contexts, user expectations and content flow matter more than SEO metrics.
Example: “Curious about what happened next? Click here to find out!”
Even then, best practice would still favor embedding keywords in the hyperlink for accessibility and SEO.
Alternatives to “Click Here” for Modern Web Design
Here are better ways to guide users while preserving SEO and accessibility:
| Instead of... | Use... |
|---|---|
| Click here | Learn more about our services |
| Click here | View our pricing plans |
| Click here | Download the white paper |
| Click here | Register for the webinar |
| Click here | Explore our product catalog |
Each alternative communicates the action and target clearly, improving both usability and discoverability.
How Anchor Text Impacts SEO
Google’s algorithms use anchor text as one of the signals to determine the content and relevance of the linked page. Over-optimization (e.g., using exact match anchor text repeatedly) can trigger penalties, but under-optimization—such as relying too heavily on “click here”—offers minimal value.
Best Practices for Anchor Text:
Use descriptive, keyword-rich text relevant to the destination page.
Keep it concise—generally 3 to 6 words.
Avoid generic terms unless there’s a strategic reason.
Ensure links make sense out of context, especially for screen readers.
Diversify anchor text across a website to avoid redundancy and improve semantic depth.
The Psychology of Action Words
“Click here” is a call to action, but not a very compelling one. Modern marketers leverage psychology and persuasive copy to create CTAs that drive engagement. Verbs like “discover,” “uncover,” “start,” and “get” are stronger motivators than “click.”
For instance:
“Get your free eBook” outperforms “Click here for eBook.”
“Start your free trial” is more compelling than “Click here to sign up.”
The right CTA depends on user intent and stage in the customer journey.
Mobile Considerations
With over 60% of web traffic now coming from mobile devices, it’s worth noting that “click here” implies a desktop interaction. For mobile-first design, terms like “tap to view,” “swipe to explore,” or simply “learn more” are more intuitive.
Mobile UX also demands that links be clearly visible, spaced for touch input, and described with actionable, relevant language—none of which “click here” inherently provides.
Conclusion: Should You Still Use “Click Here”?
The phrase “click here” has played a foundational role in shaping early digital interactions. It’s intuitive and still widely understood. However, in today’s SEO- and accessibility-conscious landscape, its utility is limited.
As a general rule:
Avoid using “click here” as anchor text on its own.
Embed links in contextual, meaningful phrases.
Prioritize clarity, SEO performance, and user experience.
Ultimately, every link is an opportunity—to guide a user, to communicate relevance, and to improve your site’s visibility and accessibility. Make it count.