Link Elements Check
Description
The “Link Elements Check” evaluates whether all relevant <link> elements are in the <head>, and provide additional navigational context for assistive technologies and user agents (e.g., rel="next", rel="prev", rel="index", rel="contents").
Example outcome
I located all <link> elements that could serve to build a navigation system.
Impact
- Visual Impairments: People with visual impairments may miss context about the document’s position within a larger system (like paginated content, wizards, or multi-step processes).
- Motor Impairments: Users with motor impairments can’t benefit from browser-native navigation aids based on these
<link> relationships.
- Cognitive Disabilities: Lack of orientation can lead to confusion, especially in large, multi-page documents or applications.
Fixes
To address inappropriate <link> elements:
- Locate the inappropriate
<link> element.
- Make sure it reflects the actual structure of the site, not just arbitrary navigation.
- Make sure it is inside the
<head> region.
- Provide an appropriate
rel, according to its destination.
- Ensure that the
href attribute value is valid.
Resources