Title: Why Underlining Links is Still a UX Best Practice
Introduction
In a digital world driven by visuals, some design trends come and go rather quickly. From minimal interfaces to creative typography, innovation in web design is natural and constant. But amid all the evolving trends, some foundational principles in user experience (UX) and accessibility endure—and for good reason.
One such principle is the underlining of hyperlinks.
While designers often strive for cleaner aesthetics, removing underlines from links in favor of subtler visual cues can lead to significant usability and accessibility issues. For users with visual impairments, cognitive disabilities, or even simply those unfamiliar with a site’s style guide, unmarked links can be confusing, frustrating, or entirely missed.
This article explores why underlining links remains a UX best practice in 2024 and how it aligns with modern web accessibility standards such as WCAG, ADA, EN 301 549, and EAA directives. We'll also show you how platforms like allyWay can support your accessibility goals across your digital experiences by optimizing link visibility and usability.
Whether you're a business owner, agency, or digital strategist, understanding the value of underlined links in UX and accessibility can directly impact the performance and inclusiveness of your website.
The Evolution of Link Design: Function vs Aesthetics
Hyperlinks are a core element of the internet—they connect pages, guide users through content, and enable interactivity.
Traditionally, links are colored (often blue) and underlined. This design convention is deeply ingrained in online user behavior. However, in the name of sleek visual design, many sites opt to remove link underlines and rely solely on color or hover effects to identify clickable text.
While visually appealing, this design trend comes with serious accessibility and usability drawbacks.
Why Removing Underlines Is Risky:
- Color-only links fail color contrast tests for many users, especially those with color blindness or low vision.
- Hover effects do not help touch screen users, who never trigger a hover state.
- Inconsistent link styles reduce user confidence in navigation.
- Older users and screen magnifier users may miss non-underlined links entirely.
Web Accessibility Standards and Link Visibility
Accessibility is not just a best practice—it’s becoming an increasingly important legal and ethical obligation. Whether you're serving customers in the U.S. under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), in the EU under the European Accessibility Act (EAA), or meeting WCAG guidelines (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines), clear link identification is essential.
WCAG and Link Identification
The WCAG 2.1 guidelines, which underpin most global accessibility policies including EN 301 549, offer specific criteria related to link identification:
- SC 1.4.1: Use of Color – Color should not be the only visual means of conveying information.
- SC 1.4.3: Contrast (Minimum) – Text and interactive elements must meet minimum color contrast thresholds.
- SC 1.4.11: Non-text Contrast – Visual indicators like hover styles must meet contrast requirements.
- SC 2.4.4: Link Purpose (In Context) – The purpose of every link must be clear from the content.
Underlining links helps address all of these criteria effectively.
Underlined Links: UX and Accessibility Benefits
By underlining links, you’re doing more than just adhering to standards—you’re enhancing your user experience.
Key Benefits of Underlining Links:
-
Improved Accessibility
- Supports users with low vision, dyslexia, cognitive disabilities, and motor impairments.
- Ensures information is not conveyed by color alone.
-
Faster Navigation
- Users instinctively scan for underlined text when seeking links.
- Predictable cues reduce cognitive load.
-
Lower Bounce Rates
- Frustrated navigation results in users leaving pages prematurely.
- Better link visibility keeps users engaged longer.
-
Mobile and Touchscreen Optimization
- Underlines are visible regardless of touchscreen hover limitations.
-
Stronger SEO Performance
- Easier content navigation leads to improved crawlability and better engagement signals.
allyWay and Inclusive Link Design
allyWay is an advanced web accessibility platform designed to support digital inclusion through AI-powered features and human-centric technology.
It isn’t just about automated tools—it’s about thoughtful user experience design. allyWay helps website owners improve accessibility, reduce potential legal risks, and create a more navigable web for everyone.
How allyWay Supports Accessible Links:
| Feature | allyWay Functionality |
|---|---|
| ✓ Link Visibility Enhancements | Compatible features to reinforce or underline links |
| ✓ Contrast Analysis | AI detection of color-only and low-contrast links |
| ✓ Accessibility Profiles | Profiles tailored for visual and cognitive impairments |
| ✓ Hover & Focus Styling | Enhanced outline and hover states to meet WCAG success criteria |
| ✓ 30+ Accessibility Features | Optimize link clarity as part of a broader accessibility strategy |
With features like real-time accessibility audits and personalization profiles, allyWay proactively improves link visibility without replacing the UX designer’s critical role—supporting design decisions rather than dictating them.
Designing Links for Inclusivity: Best Practices
To respect standards and offer the best experience across all user types, keep the following link design rules in mind.
✓ Recommended Link Design Practices
- Underline inline text links by default – never rely on color alone.
- Use high-contrast colors for link text (minimum 4.5:1 for normal text).
- Ensure link focus states are obvious for keyboard-only users.
- Avoid using underlines for non-links – reduces confusion.
- Label links clearly and concisely, especially on buttons or CTAs.
✗ Avoid the Following Link Design Pitfalls
- ✗ Using color without underline as the only link indicator
- ✗ Relying solely on hover effects or animations
- ✗ Making links indistinguishable from normal text
- ✗ Styling links inconsistently across various pages
When paired with an accessibility optimization tool like allyWay, this design rigor becomes more scalable across teams and projects.
When Underlining Links Isn’t Enough
While underlining is key, it's not the only factor in link accessibility. Other complementary steps ensure a fully accessible experience:
Consider These Additional Techniques:
- Descriptive Link Text: Avoid vague phrases like "click here."
- Contextual Clarity: Ensure the purpose of each link is clear even when read out of context.
- Keyboard Accessibility: Ensure all links are focusable using Tab.
- Screen Reader Compatibility: Use accessible attributes like aria-label and proper link labeling.
allyWay makes these best practices easier to implement with assistive technologies that detect improper link usage, weak contrast, and under-labeling.
Comparison Table: Underlined vs Non-Underlined Links
| Feature | Underlined Links | Non-Underlined Links (Color Only) |
|---|---|---|
| Recognizable to all users | ✓ Yes | ✗ Often not |
| Accessible for screen magnifier users | ✓ Yes | ✗ No |
| Compliant with WCAG 2.1 (Use of Color) | ✓ Yes | ✗ No |
| Aesthetic-friendly design possible? | ✓ With balanced styling | ✓ But often at the cost of usability |
| Consistent user experience across devices | ✓ Yes | ✗ Not reliable on mobile/touch |
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. Why do designers remove underline styles from links?
Many designers remove underlines to achieve cleaner aesthetics. However, aesthetics should not sacrifice accessibility or usability—especially when better design solutions exist that balance both.
Q2. Are color-only links acceptable under WCAG guidelines?
No. WCAG mandates that links must be distinguishable without relying solely on color. This means a text decoration or additional visual indicator is required.
Q3. How does underlining affect SEO?
While underlining itself doesn’t affect SEO directly, improved usability and lower bounce rates from better navigation can enhance search signals and user engagement.
Q4. Doesn’t allyWay make a website compliant automatically?
No. allyWay helps support accessibility compliance efforts by identifying issues and offering optimization tools, but legal compliance is a larger ongoing process involving design, development, and content practices.
Q5. Is underlining needed if hover effects are strong?
Hover effects do not apply on touch devices and cannot be relied on alone. Underlining is visible on all device types and should not be replaced by hover styling.
Conclusion: A Simple Practice with Lasting Impact
While digital design continues to evolve, the core mission of usability and inclusion remains unchanged. Underlining links may seem like a small design decision, but it’s one that affects the entire user base—from those using screen readers to those navigating by touch, keyboard, or magnification.
In conjunction with adaptative platforms like allyWay, businesses can take smart steps toward more accessible, user-friendly digital experiences. allyWay offers over 30 features, multi-language support, and intelligent automation—all designed to reduce accessibility barriers, streamline audits, and help you build inclusivity into the foundation of your website.
Whether you’re revising your design system, optimizing for accessibility, or scaling inclusive experiences across multiple sites, underlining links is a low-effort, high-impact change. And with allyWay by your side, making these best practices scalable
