If you’ve ever used the internet—which, if you’re reading this, you certainly have—you’ve almost certainly seen the phrase “Click Here.” It’s one of the earliest and most persistent calls to action in digital history. What started as a helpful instruction quickly became a default phrase that saturated websites, emails, advertisements, and digital interfaces. But why did “Click Here” become so widespread? And why is it now seen as outdated, even problematic, in modern web design?

In this article, we’ll trace the origins of “Click Here,” examine its influence on online behavior, and explore why it’s increasingly being replaced by more effective and accessible alternatives. What seems like a simple two-word instruction is actually a symbol of how we’ve learned to interact with the digital world—and how that interaction is still evolving.

The Dawn of the Click

In the early 1990s, the internet was a frontier. Web browsers like Netscape and Internet Explorer were just beginning to gain traction, and most users were unfamiliar with what hyperlinks were or how to use them. Hyperlinked text—those underlined blue words that opened new pages—were mysterious and often ignored without clear prompting.

That’s where “Click Here” came in.

Web designers and content creators began using the phrase as a guiding instruction. “Click Here” told users, in plain language, that the blue underlined words were not just decoration—they were the key to navigating the web. For many first-time users, “Click Here” was a lifeline that demystified the experience of browsing online.

“Click Here” as a Design Crutch

As more people began using the internet, “Click Here” became the go-to instruction. From government portals to e-commerce sites to personal blogs, the phrase was plastered everywhere. Designers relied on it heavily, partly because it was simple and effective, and partly because there were few established best practices.

However, this overreliance came with consequences. “Click Here” is inherently non-descriptive—it tells the user to do something, but not what will happen next. For example:

Click here for more information.

What information? About what?

Compare that to:

Learn more about our pricing and packages.

Now the user knows exactly what they’re clicking on—and so does a search engine crawler.

SEO and the Fall of “Click Here”

As search engines like Google matured, so did their ranking algorithms. One key factor in ranking pages was (and still is) anchor text—the visible text used in a hyperlink. When that anchor text is descriptive, search engines can better understand the context of the linked page.

From an SEO perspective, “Click Here” offers nothing of value. It doesn't contain keywords or context. It’s a dead end for crawlers. Imagine a page with ten links, all saying “Click Here.” There’s no way for search engines—or users with disabilities—to know which is which.

This pushed content creators to adapt. Instead of linking phrases like “Click Here to download our white paper,” they began to write:

Download our digital marketing white paper.

This is clearer for users, better for search engines, and aligns with evolving content strategies.

Accessibility Challenges with “Click Here”

One of the most significant criticisms of “Click Here” is how it impacts users with disabilities. Screen readers, used by people who are blind or visually impaired, often read just the link text aloud. If all your links say “Click Here,” the user hears a meaningless list of repeated commands without context.

Modern accessibility guidelines emphasize descriptive links that make sense even when read out of context. For example, someone using a screen reader should be able to navigate a page by jumping from link to link and still understand what each one does.

Good:

[Read our 2024 sustainability report]

Bad:

[Click here] to read the 2024 sustainability report

By avoiding “Click Here,” designers and writers create better experiences for everyone—not just users with disabilities.

Mobile and the Death of the Click

Another factor in the phrase’s decline? Touchscreens.

We don’t “click” on mobile phones or tablets—we tap. As smartphones overtook desktops as the primary way people access the internet, “Click Here” started to sound out of place. Instructions needed to be platform-agnostic.

Today’s mobile-first design philosophy favors touch-friendly buttons, large tap targets, and intuitive interaction. Labels like “Learn More,” “Download Now,” or “Start Shopping” are preferred because they guide users without referencing a specific action like “clicking.”

Psychology and Clarity in Calls to Action

Beyond usability, there's a psychological component to the decline of “Click Here.” Modern marketing relies on clear, benefit-driven calls to action (CTAs). Rather than telling users to perform an abstract action, CTAs now focus on what the user gains.

Instead of “Click Here,” modern CTAs often say:

• Start your free trial

• Get your free guide

• Discover new arrivals

• Book your consultation

These phrases not only replace “Click Here,” but outperform it in engagement. They create motivation, urgency, and clarity—key drivers of user behavior.

So, Is “Click Here” Dead?

Not quite. You’ll still find “Click Here” in plenty of places—old websites, poorly written emails, or documents where clarity isn't prioritized. And in certain cases, it can still be useful, especially for audiences that may need extra guidance.

However, in the context of modern design, marketing, accessibility, and search optimization, “Click Here” is now seen as outdated. It’s a remnant of a simpler digital era—one that needed clear, instructional language to introduce users to a brand-new world.

The Legacy of “Click Here”

Though it’s fading from modern best practices, “Click Here” helped teach millions how to navigate the internet. It was a training wheel for a digital bicycle. And like any good training wheel, it eventually became unnecessary as users gained confidence and interfaces became more intuitive.

Its decline is not a loss—it’s a sign of progress.

Conclusion

“Click Here” may have started as a necessary bridge between offline habits and online interaction, but its time as a default call to action has passed. In today’s digital environment, clarity, context, accessibility, and user empowerment matter more than ever. Replacing “Click Here” with thoughtful, descriptive, and engaging alternatives doesn’t just make content better—it makes the internet better.

As we look back, “Click Here” deserves recognition—not because it was perfect, but because it was useful. And in its simplicity, it helped pave the way for everything the web has become.