WCAG

Understanding SC 2.4.4 Link Purpose (In Context)

Authored By :Raghavendra Satish Peri Last Updated :June 20, 2022 WCAG

Purpose of each link can be determined from the link text alone or from the link text together with its programmatically determined link context, except where the purpose of the link would be ambiguous to users in general. (Level A)

The intent of this success criterion is to provide links that are clear & understood by all the users. Hyperlinks can be provided in multiple ways & each one of those must be clear to the users in their context.

Assistive technologies such as screen readers provide the list of links & users must be able to determine the purpose of the link just by reading the link text. Purpose of the link must be clear within its context & context refers to paragraph, sentence, table cell or a list item! Users can navigate
To any part of the web page & should be able to determine what the link is meant for by reading the link text or associating the link with the surrounding text.

Examples

This blog covers various topics related to digital accessibility.

The link blog is linked to a Wikipedia page and not clear for any user, let alone for assistive technology user & the link digital accessibility is clear with in its context.

Points to Ponder

Let the purpose of the link be clear just by the link text alone! E.G. “My Blog”, “Visit our Blog”.
Ensure appropriate alt text is provided when only an image stands as a link.
Avoid ambiguous links like “here” or “click here”. If they are required make sure that they are placed at the end of the sentence or paragraph so that they are understood from context.
Do not duplicate the alt text and the link text when there is an image and the link adjacent to each other and convey the same info or lead to same destination. Rather, wrap the image with the link and provide alt=”” for the image.
Ensure Links having the same link text leads to same destination.

Useful A11Y Resources on Link Purpose (In Context)

References

Understanding Success Criterion 2.4.4

Explore our WCAG Checklist

Raghavendra Satish Peri

Raghavendra Satish Peri is a digital Transformation specialist working with small & large enterprises in the areas of digital accessibility & digital marketing. He authors an Accessibility Blog at DigitalA11Y.com & is galvanizing the adoption of accessibility by inspiring the local tech community with meetups and mentorship. He propelled this thought by founding HelloA11y.com, a community of accessibility professionals, developers, and enthusiasts. When away from his computer, Raghava can be found at local cafes & restaurants sampling cuisines, attending local meetups, listening to audio books, or writing on his Personal Blog at raghava.in.