# Links must have discernible text

> Canonical HTML version: https://rocketvalidator.com/accessibility-validation/axe/4.10/link-name
> Attribution: Rocket Validator (https://rocketvalidator.com)
> License: CC BY 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)

When used as links, link text and alternative text for images must be recognizable by screen readers, have no duplicate labels, and be focusable.

* Accessibility is hindered by inaccessible link components, as they are a crucial component of a website.
* Users who traverse a webpage using only the keyboard (and no mouse) can only click on links that can gain programmed emphasis. Inaccessible to these users is any link that cannot gain programmatic focus.
* Similar to sighted people, screen reader users must know where a link leads. This information is provided via inner link text, albeit it will not be utilized if a screen reader cannot access it.
* Only the links and form components that can get programmatic focus can be activated by keyboard users, including those with visual impairments or those who cannot use a mouse. Keyboard users cannot access events activated only by other sorts of focus, such as `onmouseover` events that depend on the mouse hover focus. By default, only links and form elements receive keyboard emphasis. Add `tabindex="0"` to items that are not links or form components to make them focusable.

<h3>What this Accessibility Rule Checks</h3>

Ensures that each link's name is accessible.