Marketing Link Text Audit Worksheet
Replace ambiguous page links with descriptions of their actual destinations and useful context, then verify the rendered link in its surroundings.
When to use this template
Use this when a resource page repeats “click here” or “learn more” and visitors cannot tell which destination addresses their task.
Choose another approach when: You want to stuff keywords into anchors, promise a download that leads to a signup, or declare full accessibility compliance from a copy-only audit.
Gather these inputs
- The rendered page and actual link destinations.
- The reader task and surrounding sentence for each link.
- Any material file type, size or access condition at the destination.
Copy and adapt the template
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Worked example
Illustrative example, not a Crany customer result. Replace every example detail with facts you can verify.
A fictional guide contains two “learn more” links. One opens a checklist download and the other opens a beta access explanation. The audit proposes distinct labels describing those destinations, with a file-type note where useful. The owner follows each link to verify what actually happens. A checklist label is not retained if the route only collects an email address without providing the promised asset. The review improves link clarity but does not claim that keyboard behavior or every screen-reader interaction has been tested.
How to use it
- Inventory links in the rendered reader journey and follow their actual destinations.
- Write concise descriptive labels with any material destination context.
- Check the final wording and accessible name after implementation, escalating technical issues separately.
Check before using it
- The label describes the destination rather than an internal marketing goal.
- Different destinations do not share confusing identical labels.
- A file or access promise is verified by following the link.
What to measure
Observe whether relevant readers choose the intended resource and record remaining accessibility issues. Clear anchor text helps navigation; it does not guarantee search rankings or complete accessibility conformance.
Research and sources
W3C and Google support meaningful contextual link text. The inventory and fictional example are original editorial tools, not a full technical accessibility audit.
- W3C WAI: Writing for Web Accessibility — checked 2026-10-23. Meaningful titles, headings, links, alternatives and clear instructions; introductory guidance does not establish full accessibility conformance.
- Google: Link best practices — checked 2026-10-23. Crawlable links with meaningful anchor text and relevant context.
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