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Web Standard: Email Address Links

Content Requirements

When providing email addresses, link from the person's name, not the email address. Show the email address as unlinked text in parentheses following the name.  Screen readers may skim a file by reading only headers and links, and “mail-to” links out of context may not make sense.

Examples

Yes:  Contact: Hermione Balderdash (balderdash.hermione@epa.gov)
Yes:  Email Rupert Kerfuffle (kerfuffle.rupert@epa.gov) for more information.

No:  Mary Cuppacoffee (cuppacoffee.mary@epa.gov) can provide more information. [Why no? because email address is linked rather than name.]
No:  Contact Mary Cuppacoffee with questions.  [Why no? Name is provided, but email address is not included.]
No:  Send email to baggadoughnuts.joe@epa.gov.  [Why no? Link to email address alone and name is not provided.]
No:  Send email to Joe Baggadoughnuts.  [Why no? Link text does not provide name or context for email to be sent.]

Exceptions

Where the context is obvious from the headers and the email address is provided along with full contact information, it is acceptable to link to an email address. 

For example, one could link to an email address when:

1. the email address is the first link after a “Contacts” header.  Example:

Contacts

For additional information about EPA's programs with Grape Jelly, contact:

John Q Public – Grape Jelly Program Manager
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW
Washington, DC 20460
Email: public.johnq@epa.gov
(202) 564-0000

But not:

Contacts

For additional information about EPA's programs with Grape Jelly, contact:

John Q Public – Grape Jelly Program Manager
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW
Washington, DC 20460
Email: public.johnq@epa.gov
(202) 564-0000

[Why no? because the link is not immediately following the Contacts header.]

2.  the individual’s name is in a header immediately preceding the email address.  Example:

John Q Public
Email: public.johnq@epa.gov
(202) 564-0000

About this Standard

All EPA public web content must adhere to the EPA Web Standards, the U.S. Web Design System guidelines, and the 21st Century Integrated Digital Experience Act.

Original effective date: 09/28/2005
Last approved on: 10/08/2014
Web Council review by: 01/15/2018 (or earlier if deemed necessary by the Web Council)