Identical Links - Equal Destination Check
Description
The “Identical Links - Equal Destination Check” evaluates whether groups of links with the same accessible name and context (i.e., surrounding content) lead to the same target (URL or destination).
Example outcome
I noticed that all groups of links with the same accessible name and context have the same target.
Impact
- Visual Impairments: Screen reader users might hear “Learn more” several times but get different results each time, leading to disorientation or loss of context. They often scan through a list of links using shortcut keys; inconsistencies break this navigation flow.
- Motor Impairments: Users with motor impairments often rely on predictable navigation to minimize movement or keyboard use. Inconsistencies cause repeated effort or mistakes.
- Cognitive Disabilities: Users who rely on patterns to understand and navigate content (e.g., people with autism, ADHD, or memory-related conditions) may get confused or misled. It increases cognitive load by requiring users to guess or re-learn what a repeated label means each time.
Fixes
To address inadequate identical links:
- Identify the links with the same accessible name but different destination or same destination but different accessible name.
- Ensure consistency across links with the same destination.
- Use different accessible names for links with different destinations.