# The Scent of Information: Give Users the Confidence to Click

Strengthen user navigation by crafting link text that acts as a reliable promise.

- **Source:** [UX Daily](https://www.interaction-design.org)
- **Published:** 2026-10-16
- **Topic:** [Design & UX](https://brifing.si/c/design)
- **Original article:** <https://ixdf.org/literature/article/the-scent-of-information-give-users-the-confidence-to-click>
- **On Brifing:** https://brifing.si/s/9a76e5c0-8a4d-47ea-b1ff-7a840aefd9c8

## Understanding Information Foraging

Users navigate websites like animals foraging for food, constantly assessing if their current path yields results. This information foraging model suggests that every click is a judgment call. If the scent of information is strong, users proceed; if it is weak or misleading, they backtrack or abandon the site entirely.

## Links as User Promises

Navigation links are not merely labels; they function as promises regarding destination content. When a destination page meets the expectation set by the link, the information scent intensifies. Conversely, if the page fails to deliver, the scent breaks, causing users to lose confidence in the navigation and the overall interface.

## The Power of Front-Loading

Eye-tracking research by Jakob Nielsen indicates that the first two words of a link, approximately eleven characters, carry the most navigational weight. Designers should prioritize action-oriented and topic-specific words at the beginning of the label. Placing critical information at the start ensures users grasp the destination's purpose before scanning further.

## Avoiding Vague Terminology

Specific, non-overlapping terms are essential to prevent user hesitation. When two links have ambiguous or overlapping labels, users struggle to make a confident choice. Designers must avoid branded or invented terminology that deviates from established conventions like 'Contact Us' or 'About,' as these familiar terms provide immediate, recognized meaning to users.

## Accessibility and Usability Pitfalls

Using 'click here' as link text is a critical failure for both usability and accessibility. Users relying on screen readers encounter a sequence of identical prompts, providing no context for the destination. Effective link text must describe the destination itself, ensuring that all users can navigate the interface with clarity and confidence.

## Intranet Navigation Challenges

Organizations frequently populate intranets with internal jargon, project codenames, or departmental labels that are opaque to outsiders. This practice creates significant barriers for new team members attempting to orient themselves. Applying plain-language principles to internal systems is vital, as the intranet often serves as the primary tool for employee productivity.

## AI and Content Generation

While AI writing tools can draft link text rapidly, they often default to generic phrases like 'Learn More' or 'Read About.' These outputs frequently lack the specificity required to maintain a strong information scent. Designers must manually audit generated labels to ensure they front-load specific words and make honest, accurate destination promises.

## Strategic Navigation Design

The scent of information is a fundamental metric for successful UX design. By aligning link text with destination content and prioritizing clarity over cleverness, designers minimize user effort. Consistent, specific, and accessible navigation builds trust, ensuring that users can efficiently reach their goals without feeling overwhelmed by the digital information landscape.

## Sources covering this story

- https://ixdf.org/literature/article/the-scent-of-information-give-users-the-confidence-to-click — 

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_Summary written by Brifing from the original reporting. Copyright in the original article belongs to its publisher; read the full piece at the link above._