Think Before You Link!
That told you nothing, right?
I’m forever annoyed when I see the ubiquitous “click here”. That tells me nothing about the link, people! Neither does “This is a link that you’ll really want to check out.” Again, you have no context for “this”.
This is the commonplace abuse of the hyperlink by lazy Web writers everywhere, but especially by lazy Webloggers. It’s far, far better to integrate your link into a sentence. Examplia gratis:
- I think this is a crappy excuse for a Web site.
- I think gfmorris.net is a crappy excuse for a Web site.
Which one sticks with you? Hopefully, it’s the latter, although I don’t want you to think that gfmorris.net really does suck. [I have plans for it; be patient.]
EDIT: The W3C link that Alex posted below in the comments notes that my linking style in the latter example above is still not optimal. Please read the W3C’s thoughts on meaningful link text.
I implore Webloggers everywhere to think before you link. If you give a reader a reason to follow a link, they will. Most people don’t like being told to do something, but if you convince them that it’s their idea, they will do it. 
I agree with this!
July 12th, 2004 at 12:20I am so glad that someone caught the oh-so-obvious followup comment. But then Stephen is a smart feller.
July 12th, 2004 at 12:22I tend to like the ‘this is a crappy excuse for a web site’ style links, they have a nice sense of anticipation.
http://www.w3.org/QA/Tips/noClickHere
July 12th, 2004 at 12:24That works as well, Alex. Thanks for the link.
July 12th, 2004 at 12:38Um.. I do that all the time. So I apologize for my laziness. (note, I didn’t state that I will make an attempt at becoming more unlazy)!
July 12th, 2004 at 13:47I still like you, Jessica. My frustration was linked at the totality of bad linkers, not any particular person. Mind you, it was spurred on by someone whose syndication feed I was reading this morning, but it wasn’t you.
July 12th, 2004 at 13:50Oh I wasn’t thinking that. Just pointing out that I know I’m guilty. I would have done the same thing in my last post if it weren’t for the ease of just using PressIt! Using that put the title of the page as the link. Otherwise, yeah, I know I would have said “This is funny!” with this being the link and just having “Rock Paper Sadaam” as the title of the entry. (and yes, I’m even too lazy to put links in this comment!:P)
July 12th, 2004 at 13:55oops.. bookmarklet thingy not “pressit!”
July 12th, 2004 at 13:56The bookmarklet is called “PressIt”.
July 12th, 2004 at 14:02Oh that explains my confusion then.
July 12th, 2004 at 14:11I’m not thinking all that coherently now for some reason.. I dunno.
It’s called, “I am a government contractor.”
July 12th, 2004 at 14:13