14 August 2025

Avoid Directional Language in Your Web Content: 4 Ways it Hurts the User Experience

by Stephanie Fox

*Updated* I see a lot of directional language on websites. I think it’s a holdover from the early days of the web when people needed instruction on how to navigate.

A stop sign with an additional sign above it that reads "See the red sign below for instructions"

What is directional language?

Directional language refers to phrases that tell people where and how to interact with elements on a website.

Here are a few directional language examples:

Download the report by clicking the box on the right
See the form below and complete it to apply
Please select from our list of services on the left
Scroll down and click the green button

Maybe you’re wondering what’s so bad about it? It’s helpful isn’t it?

4 reasons directional language hurts the user experience

1. Layout and content aren’t working together

If you’re defaulting to writing explicit instructions because users aren’t doing the task you want them to do, take a look at your layout and design elements. If the layout and content are playing well together, you shouldn’t need to spell things out.

Is the form too far from the call to action to fill it out?
Does a button or link not look like it’s clickable?
Is there a horizontal rule or empty space that signals the brain there isn’t anything below?
Is your language vague? (You can be descriptive without being prescriptive.)

A button on a website that reads "Help Out" Underneath in brackets are instructions that read: "Press HELP OUT to Buy the calendar" — Changing the button text to “Buy the calendar” would remove the need for directions.

2. It’s not accessible content

Directions are visual. So someone with a visual impairment is left out. If someone is using a screen reader, directions that refer to layout or placement, like “See the form below” will be meaningless.

A screenshot from the CRA website shows a table of filed returns. Directions above the table state: Select the return you want to view by clicking on the link in the Reporting period column below." The text links in the reporting period column are identical to non-linked text in other columns. — I’m sure they felt the need to tell people where to click because the linked text looks identical to unlinked text.

3. Locations change with screen size

On responsive websites, content moves around. Instructions that describe left and right only work on a desktop that has a multi-column layout. On a smartphone that content has likely moved to the bottom, so your instructions will be wrong.

4. It’s bloated

Directional language uses more words and characters. People skim and scan before deciding if the content is for them. If you can communicate with fewer words, your message is more likely to be received.

Want fewer clicks? Tell me to ‘Click here’

I’d be remiss if I didn’t highlight the worst offender when it comes to directional language. Click here.

I did usability tests a few years ago for a clothing retailer. One of the tasks was to order a particular size of an item. All the testers made it to the page with the link to the sizing chart—but only 1 of them found it. The link stated, “Click here to find your size.”

When people scan, link text stands out since it is a different colour (and hopefully underlined). “Click here” gets seen and the rest is missed. So skip the directions. Links should describe what someone will get when they make the click. In this case: “Find your size” is a much better option.

Vague link text like “click here” is also not accessible. It’s common for those who use screen readers to instruct them to only read the links on a page. It’s more efficient and they can get a sense of what the page is about. Or at least they should be able to. A plethora of “click here” and “more” will direct them to the back button.

Ways to communicate directions visually

Your words, layout, typography, colour, and other design elements can work together to communicate direction, without having to state it.

Create visual hierarchy with frequent headings (H1 – H6) and whitespace to guide the eye down the page.
Use the law of proximity. We perceive that things that are close together are more related than things that are farther apart. You wouldn’t have to say “the form below” if it’s right there.
Designate a colour that is only used for call-to-action buttons.
And it bears repeating: always write descriptive hyperlinks that tell you what you’ll get when you click!

Be direct without being directional

Directional language makes your content sound stilted. More importantly, you are doing a disservice to your audience. Eliminate the need for it and your users will be more likely to engage with your content, and carry out those calls to action.

Have you developed a directional language habit? A user experience audit is a great way to identify disconnects between your content and layout.