Place reset link close to the password field
Providing users a Reset Password link works like an "emergency exit," supporting Nielsen's heuristic about user control and freedom. The heuristic advocates users' rights to make mistakes and states that a system should allow users to get out of trouble without much effort.[1]
The Reset Password link gives users an opportunity to recover from an undesirable situation and makes them feel more relaxed and comfortable.
Although the Reset Password link isn't the primary action on a page, it should still be visible. Place it below the password input where users expect to see it, show its clickability, and provide a straightforward label that eliminates any doubts about what happens when users click it.
References
- User Control and Freedom (Usability Heuristic #3) | Nielsen Norman Group