Hyperlinks should be used whenever we’re referring to something on the actual site, and external resource, or a document such as a PDF. Use links to point users to relevant content and trusted external resources.

Don’t include preceding articles (a, an, the, our) when you link text. For example:

If a link comes at the end of a sentence or before a comma, don’t link the punctuation mark.

Avoid saying things like “Click here!” or “Click for more information” or “Read this.” Links should only link to relevant keywords through the natural flow of the content structure.

Links should have it’s own distinctive style that separates it from the body copy, strong, and emphasis text. They should have a hover state that communicates to the user that it’s interactive and requires the user to click to view the additional resource. Links should also have a distinct active/visited/focus state.

All external links and files should be accompanied by a target="_blank" attribute.

All internal links should not open in a new window or tab.