Improve confusing UX when creating entry links

[mmikkel]

The UX when creating entry links in CKEditor fields is a bit confusing, and inconsistent with the behavior when creating URL links.

When creating a URL link, CKEditor doesn't actually insert a link into the field content until the author clicks the "Insert" button in the Link popup, after entering a link URL (and if the author clicks "Insert" before entering a URL, there is a validation error). After clicking "Insert", the Link popup closes, with the "Edit link" tooltip open in the field for the newly created link. IMO, this is very clear UX.

Entry link creation works differently. When creating an entry link, the author never actually clicks the "Insert" button (though it is there, and gives no validation error if clicked before selecting an entry). Instead, CKEditor automatically inserts the link into the field content as soon as an entry is selected in the Link popup. After the link is inserted, the Link popup stays open, with the "Insert" button now being labelled "Update".

This is confusing UX to authors, as it's not clear why they need to "update" a link they just created, or what actually gets "updated" if they click that button. There is also no other clear way to close the Link popup, aside from clicking outside of it.

IMO, it'd be great if the UX when creating entry links could be made similar to the UX when creating URL links – i.e. that CKEditor waits to insert the actual link in the field content until the author clicks the "Insert" button, after selecting an entry, and that the Link popup closes after they click Insert.

CleanShot.2026-03-31.at.14.04.29.mp4