Comments on: To Underline, or not to Underline? That Remains the Question http://www.sessions.edu/notes-on-design/people/to-underline-or-not-to-underline-that-remains-the-question/ Fri, 10 Feb 2012 07:40:20 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Shaun Smylski http://www.sessions.edu/notes-on-design/people/to-underline-or-not-to-underline-that-remains-the-question/comment-page-1/#comment-294269 Shaun Smylski Wed, 08 Feb 2012 00:14:17 +0000 http://www.sessions.edu/notes-on-design/web-design/to-underline-or-not-to-underline-that-remains-the-question/#comment-294269 I'm against underlined links because it creates a blocky solid form that contradicts the otherwise organic nature of the letterforms and how they have been perfected to look legible and unified for centuries. Underlining is not seen in any bible or old published book all the way to printed novels of current day. Not in newspapers or magazines. Underlining is a holdover from the typewriter age. Typewriters have no bold or italic styling. So the only way to emphasize text was to back up the carriage and type shortcomings in typewriter technology. The Web does not suffer from this shortcoming. If you want to emphasize text you now only need to bold, italicize or change the color. Color is the most appropriate form for web because it does not change the word per line count on rollovers, where changing styles would. Easiest way to communicate a link to people is with color. Color is LIVE and LINKED, all other text is DARK and DEAD. I’m against underlined links because it creates a blocky solid form that contradicts the otherwise organic nature of the letterforms and how they have been perfected to look legible and unified for centuries. Underlining is not seen in any bible or old published book all the way to printed novels of current day. Not in newspapers or magazines.

Underlining is a holdover from the typewriter age. Typewriters have no bold or italic styling. So the only way to emphasize text was to back up the carriage and type shortcomings in typewriter technology. The Web does not suffer from this shortcoming.

If you want to emphasize text you now only need to bold, italicize or change the color. Color is the most appropriate form for web because it does not change the word per line count on rollovers, where changing styles would. Easiest way to communicate a link to people is with color. Color is LIVE and LINKED, all other text is DARK and DEAD.

]]> By: Bobsen http://www.sessions.edu/notes-on-design/people/to-underline-or-not-to-underline-that-remains-the-question/comment-page-1/#comment-277986 Bobsen Sun, 28 Aug 2011 21:28:06 +0000 http://www.sessions.edu/notes-on-design/web-design/to-underline-or-not-to-underline-that-remains-the-question/#comment-277986 Good to see that this college is going to do something about it Good to see that this college is going to do something about it

]]> By: Dave Austin http://www.sessions.edu/notes-on-design/people/to-underline-or-not-to-underline-that-remains-the-question/comment-page-1/#comment-172459 Dave Austin Tue, 02 Sep 2008 16:21:14 +0000 http://www.sessions.edu/notes-on-design/web-design/to-underline-or-not-to-underline-that-remains-the-question/#comment-172459 Always Always underline. From a usability point of view, you want to underline. People have been trained to expect links with underlines. If you try to get creative, then people have to think to much. "Is it a link or Not". I believe those milliseconds matter. Always Always underline. From a usability point of view, you want to underline. People have been trained to expect links with underlines. If you try to get creative, then people have to think to much. “Is it a link or Not”. I believe those milliseconds matter.

]]> By: Jamie http://www.sessions.edu/notes-on-design/people/to-underline-or-not-to-underline-that-remains-the-question/comment-page-1/#comment-166652 Jamie Wed, 18 Jun 2008 07:13:56 +0000 http://www.sessions.edu/notes-on-design/web-design/to-underline-or-not-to-underline-that-remains-the-question/#comment-166652 This was a good refresher for me- I bold my keywords, but need to go back to my sites and make sure my links are visible and obvious, so I may have some underlining to do. This was a good refresher for me- I bold my keywords, but need to go back to my sites and make sure my links are visible and obvious, so I may have some underlining to do.

]]> By: Ruth Ann Macklin http://www.sessions.edu/notes-on-design/people/to-underline-or-not-to-underline-that-remains-the-question/comment-page-1/#comment-164331 Ruth Ann Macklin Sun, 08 Jun 2008 14:32:17 +0000 http://www.sessions.edu/notes-on-design/web-design/to-underline-or-not-to-underline-that-remains-the-question/#comment-164331 The average Joe surfing the net recognizes the blue underlined text as a link. I underline the link and bold my keywords. The average Joe surfing the net recognizes the blue underlined text as a link. I underline the link and bold my keywords.

]]> By: Hunter Jackson http://www.sessions.edu/notes-on-design/people/to-underline-or-not-to-underline-that-remains-the-question/comment-page-1/#comment-161778 Hunter Jackson Wed, 28 May 2008 15:17:31 +0000 http://www.sessions.edu/notes-on-design/web-design/to-underline-or-not-to-underline-that-remains-the-question/#comment-161778 I always bold text rather than underline. It stands out more and looks more clean I always bold text rather than underline. It stands out more and looks more clean

]]> By: Jason Secor http://www.sessions.edu/notes-on-design/people/to-underline-or-not-to-underline-that-remains-the-question/comment-page-1/#comment-159812 Jason Secor Wed, 21 May 2008 20:43:18 +0000 http://www.sessions.edu/notes-on-design/web-design/to-underline-or-not-to-underline-that-remains-the-question/#comment-159812 One of the things that i find useful is bolding and/or underlining my keywords. One of the things that i find useful is bolding and/or underlining my keywords.

]]> By: Dave http://www.sessions.edu/notes-on-design/people/to-underline-or-not-to-underline-that-remains-the-question/comment-page-1/#comment-155183 Dave Thu, 08 May 2008 14:14:23 +0000 http://www.sessions.edu/notes-on-design/web-design/to-underline-or-not-to-underline-that-remains-the-question/#comment-155183 What does ADA say about identifying links? Thanks. What does ADA say about identifying links? Thanks.

]]> By: Robin http://www.sessions.edu/notes-on-design/people/to-underline-or-not-to-underline-that-remains-the-question/comment-page-1/#comment-150792 Robin Sat, 03 May 2008 03:15:14 +0000 http://www.sessions.edu/notes-on-design/web-design/to-underline-or-not-to-underline-that-remains-the-question/#comment-150792 I don't like the hover but I use it for emphasis sometimes. As for underlining certain text, I am all for it as it brings attention to the point I am making I don’t like the hover but I use it for emphasis sometimes. As for underlining certain text, I am all for it as it brings attention to the point I am making

]]> By: Barry Cunningham http://www.sessions.edu/notes-on-design/people/to-underline-or-not-to-underline-that-remains-the-question/comment-page-1/#comment-150791 Barry Cunningham Sat, 03 May 2008 03:13:09 +0000 http://www.sessions.edu/notes-on-design/web-design/to-underline-or-not-to-underline-that-remains-the-question/#comment-150791 I usually underline and italisize my text or rather keyword related words and phrases. Definitely seems to be helping. I usually underline and italisize my text or rather keyword related words and phrases. Definitely seems to be helping.

]]> By: elitezoom http://www.sessions.edu/notes-on-design/people/to-underline-or-not-to-underline-that-remains-the-question/comment-page-1/#comment-125805 elitezoom Mon, 31 Mar 2008 07:34:04 +0000 http://www.sessions.edu/notes-on-design/web-design/to-underline-or-not-to-underline-that-remains-the-question/#comment-125805 usually most of people notice if the blue text (bold or not) when they hover it, I think they will said it's a link. commonly I suggest someone to see the cursor, if it change like a hand it's a link, but if not or just like an arrow it's not a link. usually most of people notice if the blue text (bold or not) when they hover it, I think they will said it’s a link. commonly I suggest someone to see the cursor, if it change like a hand it’s a link, but if not or just like an arrow it’s not a link.

]]> By: Website Design Elixirs http://www.sessions.edu/notes-on-design/people/to-underline-or-not-to-underline-that-remains-the-question/comment-page-1/#comment-122713 Website Design Elixirs Fri, 21 Mar 2008 14:51:58 +0000 http://www.sessions.edu/notes-on-design/web-design/to-underline-or-not-to-underline-that-remains-the-question/#comment-122713 I generally agree that blue underlined links are the ticket. There doesn't appear to be a consensus on the subject though. The top SERP for website design in Google (excluding Wikipedia and concentrating on firms offering design services) is split right down the middle. Half use underlined links, the other half do not. Of the 10 I looked at two of them really needed underlined links to improve scan-ability. I generally agree that blue underlined links are the ticket. There doesn’t appear to be a consensus on the subject though.

The top SERP for website design in Google (excluding Wikipedia and concentrating on firms offering design services) is split right down the middle. Half use underlined links, the other half do not.

Of the 10 I looked at two of them really needed underlined links to improve scan-ability.

]]> By: Mike Madaio http://www.sessions.edu/notes-on-design/people/to-underline-or-not-to-underline-that-remains-the-question/comment-page-1/#comment-122344 Mike Madaio Wed, 19 Mar 2008 22:08:39 +0000 http://www.sessions.edu/notes-on-design/web-design/to-underline-or-not-to-underline-that-remains-the-question/#comment-122344 Underlining is the universal symbol for "this is a link, click here", though highlighting certainly has its uses as well and will stand out to people. It does depend on the context as well. Underlining is the universal symbol for “this is a link, click here”, though highlighting certainly has its uses as well and will stand out to people. It does depend on the context as well.

]]> By: Cyndee Haydon http://www.sessions.edu/notes-on-design/people/to-underline-or-not-to-underline-that-remains-the-question/comment-page-1/#comment-117895 Cyndee Haydon Sat, 08 Mar 2008 03:55:30 +0000 http://www.sessions.edu/notes-on-design/web-design/to-underline-or-not-to-underline-that-remains-the-question/#comment-117895 Great post - when I write in my blog I don't tend to underline however I do highlight for better readability - do you find underlining is more effective than highlighting? Thanks! Great post – when I write in my blog I don’t tend to underline however I do highlight for better readability – do you find underlining is more effective than highlighting? Thanks!

]]> By: Mike Madaio http://www.sessions.edu/notes-on-design/people/to-underline-or-not-to-underline-that-remains-the-question/comment-page-1/#comment-117782 Mike Madaio Fri, 07 Mar 2008 18:26:27 +0000 http://www.sessions.edu/notes-on-design/web-design/to-underline-or-not-to-underline-that-remains-the-question/#comment-117782 Hey guys, if you're going to take time to post a dissenting opinion, how about backing it up with some actual information? Its great that you "prefer using hover" or whatever, but I've put together a detailed explanation of why hover (or bold, whatever) is not sufficient. Can you rebuff it? Hey guys, if you’re going to take time to post a dissenting opinion, how about backing it up with some actual information? Its great that you “prefer using hover” or whatever, but I’ve put together a detailed explanation of why hover (or bold, whatever) is not sufficient. Can you rebuff it?

]]> By: bathroombuzz http://www.sessions.edu/notes-on-design/people/to-underline-or-not-to-underline-that-remains-the-question/comment-page-1/#comment-117690 bathroombuzz Fri, 07 Mar 2008 16:08:44 +0000 http://www.sessions.edu/notes-on-design/web-design/to-underline-or-not-to-underline-that-remains-the-question/#comment-117690 forget underline, I prefer using hover command forget underline, I prefer using hover command

]]> By: future design http://www.sessions.edu/notes-on-design/people/to-underline-or-not-to-underline-that-remains-the-question/comment-page-1/#comment-117686 future design Fri, 07 Mar 2008 16:07:09 +0000 http://www.sessions.edu/notes-on-design/web-design/to-underline-or-not-to-underline-that-remains-the-question/#comment-117686 or, you can just bold the text, use different color to make people notice that it is a link. or, you can just bold the text, use different color to make people notice that it is a link.

]]> By: yosax http://www.sessions.edu/notes-on-design/people/to-underline-or-not-to-underline-that-remains-the-question/comment-page-1/#comment-117680 yosax Fri, 07 Mar 2008 16:05:55 +0000 http://www.sessions.edu/notes-on-design/web-design/to-underline-or-not-to-underline-that-remains-the-question/#comment-117680 With underline, people can see the difference whether it's an emphasized words or links. With underline, people can see the difference whether it’s an emphasized words or links.

]]> By: Mike Madaio http://www.sessions.edu/notes-on-design/people/to-underline-or-not-to-underline-that-remains-the-question/comment-page-1/#comment-117301 Mike Madaio Thu, 06 Mar 2008 18:58:08 +0000 http://www.sessions.edu/notes-on-design/web-design/to-underline-or-not-to-underline-that-remains-the-question/#comment-117301 Emily, though you are surely correct (I don't actually know those guidelines), my assertion is that if those MLA rules have not been changed already, they should be. They were created before the web was ubiquitous, and thus are outdated now that underline means "link" to a large group of people. As the world becomes more and more interactive and we see more convergence of analog and digital technology (think Amazon's Kindle), this will become even more important. (And which is why the MLA should take action NOW, not wait until it is too late!) Emily, though you are surely correct (I don’t actually know those guidelines), my assertion is that if those MLA rules have not been changed already, they should be. They were created before the web was ubiquitous, and thus are outdated now that underline means “link” to a large group of people.

As the world becomes more and more interactive and we see more convergence of analog and digital technology (think Amazon’s Kindle), this will become even more important. (And which is why the MLA should take action NOW, not wait until it is too late!)

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