Should You Use the Phrase “Click Here”?

Modern digital writing guidelines often suggest avoiding it in favor of descriptive links that explain what readers will find after clicking.

But behavioral science suggests the answer is not always so straightforward.

In many situations, descriptive links work best. Phrases like “Learn more about this laptop,” “Watch the tutorial video,” or “View upcoming events” clearly highlight the reward waiting on the other side of the click.

However, there are situations where a simpler approach can be more effective.

Online environments are often crowded with distractions. People may be scrolling through social media, browsing busy websites, or reading long information-heavy pages.

In those moments, your goal is not only to inform—it is to interrupt their current activity and guide them toward a new one.

That is where a direct instruction can become powerful.

Short commands such as “Click here” appeal to what psychologists call System 1 thinking—our fast, automatic decision-making process.

This system responds best to prompts that are simple, immediate, and easy to understand.

“Click here” works because it removes ambiguity and clearly states the action you want someone to take.

In busy digital environments, that clarity can make the difference between engagement and being ignored.