2.5.1.2-15 Identifying Hypertext Links by Cursor Coding

A selection point should not be identified solely by changes in the cursor.

Additional Information:
Coding the cursor to indicate links can have disadvantages. First, the changes in the cursor are momentary; they only occur when the cursor is positioned near a link. This reduces the ability of users to anticipate the link. Second, the visual codes, such as changing the shape from a pointer to a set of cross hairs, may be less salient than coding applied directly to the link text. These factors may increase attentional demands for locating links.