`link.text.exists`

Default: error
Plugin: link

A link has text, an aria-label, or an image with alt text.

Why: Search engines use link text to learn what the target page is about, and screen readers read it aloud. A link without text says nothing.

When off: links without text pass.

<!-- ✗ Fails -->
<a href="/menu/"><img src="/menu.svg" alt="" /></a>

<!-- ✓ Passes -->
<a href="/menu/">Menu</a>
<a href="/menu/" aria-label="Menu"><img src="/menu.svg" alt="" /></a>

References

Google: Link best practices: Google uses link text, and the alt of an image link, to understand the target.
WCAG 2.2: Understanding Link Purpose (In Context): A link needs text that says where it goes (Level A).
axe: link-name: The same check in axe-core.