Why to Avoid Buttons Like 'Learn More' and 'Read More' on Web Pages

Discover the hidden impact of 'Learn More' and 'Read More' buttons on your site's SEO and usability. Learn why these generic phrases can be problematic and explore effective alternatives to boost your SEO score and enhance user experience.

This comprehensive guide delves into the impact of the 'Learn More' and 'Read More' buttons on SEO and usability.

We discuss how these generic phrases can negatively affect your site's SEO score and user experience and provide actionable alternatives.

The Impact of 'Learn More' and 'Read More' Buttons on SEO

The use of 'Learn More' and 'Read More' as link text can have significant implications for your site's SEO. Here's why:

• Understanding Content: The words used in your links, or anchor text, play a vital role in how search engines like Google understand and rank your content. When your link text is generic, it can make it harder for these algorithms to understand your content, negatively affecting your site's rankings.
• Risk of Over-Optimization: Over-optimizing anchor text, where too many inbound links closely match your preferred keywords, can lead to penalties from Google. This can appear as if you're manipulating links to improve your search engine results page (SERP) rankings without regard for user experience.
• Anchor Text Profile: An anchor text profile summarizes all your backlinks and the associated anchor text, which ensures your backlink anchors aren't over-optimized. A balanced anchor text profile can help avoid the appearance of link manipulation and improve your site's SEO.
• Generic Anchor Text: While generic anchor text like 'Learn More' or 'Read More' doesn't provide a keyword or topical relevance, including it in your anchor text profile is still important. This is because generic anchor text is associated with organic editorial placement and passes link equity from the referring site without hesitation.
• Impact on Lighthouse SEO Score: Each SEO audit is weighted equally in the Lighthouse SEO Score, and links without descriptive text are flagged. This means generic link text can directly impact your website's SEO score. Replacing generic link text with more descriptive alternatives can improve your Lighthouse SEO Score and enhance your site's usability.

Understanding these factors and making the necessary adjustments can optimize your site's SEO performance and provide a better user experience.

How 'Read More' and 'Learn More' Buttons Affect Usability

The 'Learn More' and 'Read More' buttons can be problematic from a usability perspective. Here's why:

• Lack of Context: These generic phrases do not give users any indication of what they will find if they click on the link. This lack of context can lead to frustration and may cause users to leave your site.
• Outdated Terminology: In the age of smartphones, users no longer "click" but rather "tap" or "press" on links. Using phrases like 'Learn More' and 'Read More' is outdated and fails to provide users with a clear understanding of where the link will take them. This lack of transparency can lead to suspicion and mistrust, negatively impacting the user experience.
• No SEO Benefits: These generic phrases do not provide any SEO benefits. Search engines like Google use link text to understand your site's content. If your link text is generic, it makes it harder for search engines to understand your content, negatively affecting your site's rankings.

To improve usability and SEO, consider the following strategies:

• Use Descriptive Link Text: Instead of 'Learn More' and 'Read More', use descriptive link text that gives users a clear idea of where the link will take them. For instance, instead of 'Learn More', you could use 'Discover Our Range of Widgets'. This improves usability by providing users context and enhances SEO using keywords in your link text.
• Consider Link Placement: Placing links at the end of sentences allows users to read your content and take immediate action. This is more effective than putting a link at the start and forcing users to scan backwards to take that action once they've read your content.
• Be Specific About the Destination: 'Read the Article' is not as good as 'Read Our Guide on Improving SEO', providing much more context and likely attracting clicks.

In summary, while the 'Learn More' and 'Read More' buttons may seem convenient, they can negatively impact usability and SEO. Using descriptive link text, effectively placing links, and being specific about the destination can improve the user experience and boost your site's SEO performance.

The Importance of Descriptive Link Text

Descriptive Link Text, or anchor text, is more than just a clickable phrase on a webpage. It's a powerful tool that can significantly impact your website's SEO and usability. When used correctly, descriptive link text can enhance the user experience, improve accessibility, and boost your SEO rankings. Let's delve deeper into why descriptive link text is so crucial.

Enhancing User Experience

The descriptive link text can significantly enhance the user experience on your website. Users typically scan web pages for relevant information; clear, descriptive link text can guide them to the content they're interested in. For instance, instead of using a generic 'Read More' link at the end of a blog post summary, a link saying 'Read More About SEO Best Practices' provides the user with a clear idea of what they'll find when they click. This clarity can lead to higher click-through rates and increased time spent on your website, which can positively impact your SEO.

Improving Accessibility

Descriptive link text is also crucial for accessibility. Users who rely on screen readers need clear, context-independent link text to navigate your website effectively. Screen readers often read the links on a page before the surrounding text, so link text like 'Click Here' or 'Learn More' can be confusing without the surrounding context. For instance, a link saying 'Learn More' doesn't provide information about the linked content. In contrast, a link saying 'Learn More About Our Sustainability Initiatives' clearly communicates what the user will find when they click the link, making your website more accessible to all users.

Boosting SEO Rankings

From an SEO perspective, descriptive link text can help search engines understand your content and how different pages on your site relate to each other. This understanding can lead to better search rankings and visibility. For example, suppose you have a blog post about SEO best practices, and you link to it with the anchor text 'SEO Best Practices'. Search engines can infer that the linked page will likely be a valuable resource, helping you rank higher for related search queries. Moreover, tools like Google's Lighthouse flag links without the descriptive text in their SEO audits. Using descriptive link text can improve your SEO score on Lighthouse, leading to better visibility in search results.

Descriptive link text is a small detail that can have a big impact. Clear, context-independent link text can enhance the user experience, improve accessibility, and boost your SEO rankings. So next time you add a link to your website, consider how to make the link text more descriptive.

Alternatives to 'Learn More' and 'Read More' Buttons

Instead of generic link text, consider using specific descriptions that indicate what type of content users will find if they follow the hyperlink. For example, instead of using 'Learn More' as link text for a page about widgets, use 'Explore Widgets'. This improves your site's SEO and enhances the user experience by providing clear and concise information. Moreover, consider using action-oriented language that creates a sense of urgency or exclusivity. Phrases like "Get Started Today" or "Exclusive Offer" can be more compelling than a simple "Read More." You can also provide more information about what the user will get if they click the link. Instead of "Read More," try using descriptive phrases like "Discover Our Top Tips" or "Explore Our Services."

20 Great Alternatives to Generic Link Text

1. Discover More: This phrase invites users to explore and learn something new.
2. Explore [Topic]: This is a more specific version of 'Discover More'. For example, 'Explore Widgets' for a page about widgets.
3. Get Started Today: This phrase creates a sense of urgency and encourages users to take immediate action.
4. Exclusive Offer: This phrase creates a sense of exclusivity and can make users feel like they're getting a special deal.
5. Uncover Our Secrets: This phrase can pique users' curiosity and make them want to learn more.
6. Dive Deeper: This phrase suggests more depth to the content and invites users to explore further.
7. See the Full Story: This phrase suggests more to the story and encourages users to continue reading.
8. Get the Details: This phrase is a great way to invite users to learn more about a specific topic or product.
9. Find Out More: This phrase is a more engaging way to invite users to learn more.
10. Continue Reading: This phrase is a direct and clear way to encourage users to keep reading.
11. Unlock More: This phrase suggests that more valuable content can be accessed.
12. Claim Your Free Trial: This phrase highlights a specific benefit and encourages users to take action.
13. Join Us: This phrase creates a sense of community and invites users to become part of it.
14. See How It Works: This phrase invites users to learn more about how a product or service works.
15. Experience It Yourself: This phrase encourages users to try a product or service.
16. Learn the Benefits: This phrase invites users to discover the benefits of a product or service.
17. View Our Collection: This phrase is great for e-commerce sites and invites users to browse products.
18. Start Your Journey: This phrase is perfect for travel sites or any site that offers a process or journey.
19. Get Involved: This phrase is great for sites encouraging user participation or engagement.
20. See Why We're Different: This phrase invites users to learn more about what sets your site or product apart.

Another strategy is to use benefit-oriented language in your Call To Action (CTA). Instead of a generic "Click Here," tell users what they'll gain by clicking the link. For example, "Get Free CRM" or "Claim Your Free Trial" are specific and highlight the benefits to the user. Finally, don't be afraid to test different CTA variations to see what works best for your audience. What works well for one website might not work well for another, so it's important to experiment and find the most effective CTAs for your situation.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the seemingly innocuous 'Learn More' and 'Read More' buttons can significantly impact your website's SEO and user experience. They may seem convenient, but their generic nature can confuse users and search engines. Descriptive link text, on the other hand, can greatly enhance the user experience. It provides clear guidance on what users can expect when they click on a link, reducing frustration and increasing the likelihood of engagement. From an SEO perspective, descriptive link text helps search engines understand your content better, which can lead to improved search rankings. Moreover, using action-oriented and benefit-driven language in your CTAs can further enhance user engagement and conversions. Phrases that create a sense of urgency, exclusivity, or curiosity can be more compelling than a simple 'Read More' or 'Learn More'. Remember to balance the use of exact-match anchor text with other types like branded, related, and generic anchor text to avoid the appearance of link manipulation. Regularly review your anchor text profile to ensure it's balanced and not over-optimized. Finally, don't be afraid to experiment with different CTA variations to see what works best for your audience. What works well for one website might not work well for another, so testing and finding the most effective CTAs for your situation is important. In the world of SEO, every detail matters. Paying attention to these details and making the necessary adjustments can improve your site's SEO score, enhance usability, and provide a better overall user experience. This article was first published on AIO Spark: https://www.aiospark.com/why-to-avoid-buttons-like-learn-more-and-read-more-on-web-pages?utm_source=&utm_medium=fs-share&utm_campaign=auto-social