Images may contain URLs that direct users to other pages or external websites. In these instances, the destination of the link must be identified. Common examples include a publisher’s logo linking to their homepage, license badges pointing to legal terms, or QR codes leading to online resources.

Objectives

• Indicate the function of the link instead of just describing the image content.
• Improve accessibility for people with disabilities.
• Make navigation paths explicit.
• Enable users to understand the purpose of the image and the destination of the URL.
• Ensure proper indexing and processing by reading systems.

Implementation

• Describe the action triggered by clicking or activating the image.
• Avoid generic phrases like “click here”.
• Provide the target page or the link’s purpose within the “alt” attribute of the “img”, “object”, or “canvas” element.

Control

• Check that the alt attribute for every “img”, “object”, or “canvas” element used as a link specifies the destination or purpose.
• Verify the text alternative for any other element acting as a link.