diff --git a/.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE/issue-default.yml b/.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE/issue-default.yml
index 3a34b2943..47fb2c226 100644
--- a/.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE/issue-default.yml
+++ b/.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE/issue-default.yml
@@ -12,7 +12,7 @@ body:
     attributes:
       label: Issue description
       description: |
-        Describe the issue so that someone who wasn't present for its discovery can understand why it matters. Use full sentences, plain language, and good [formatting](https://docs.github.com/en/get-started/writing-on-github/getting-started-with-writing-and-formatting-on-github/basic-writing-and-formatting-syntax).
+        Describe the issue so that someone who wasn't present for its discovery can understand why it matters. Use full sentences, plain language, and [good formatting](https://docs.github.com/en/get-started/writing-on-github/getting-started-with-writing-and-formatting-on-github/basic-writing-and-formatting-syntax).
     validations:
       required: true
   - type: textarea
@@ -31,7 +31,7 @@ body:
     attributes:
       label: Links to other issues
       description: |
-        "Add issue #numbers this relates to and how (e.g., 🚧 :construction: Blocks, ⛔️ :no_entry: Is blocked by, 🔄 :repeat: Relates to)."
+        "Add issue #numbers this relates to and how (e.g., 🚧 [construction] Blocks, ⛔️ [no_entry] Is blocked by, 🔄 [arrows_counterclockwise] Relates to)."
       placeholder: 🔄 Relates to... 
   - type: markdown
     id: note