Provide descriptive titles for web pages [F25]

Test info
Possible Results

Test info

Test for Success Criterion 2.4.2

About

Checked Elements: title
This test checks, whether the title of the web page identifies the contents or purpose of the page.

Short Description

It is important to provide a descriptive title for your web page. Titles should identify the content of the web page without requiring users to read or interpret the page. They are used in a variety of places like search results, bookmarks, title bar and tabs of user agent, or the browser history to identify the page.

How to Repair

Provide a descriptive title using the title element in the head of the page. The title should always enable the user to distinguish different pages and identify their content. Keep your titles simple, short and precise and put the most specific information at the front (as the title might be cut off).
  • Keep your titles simple, short and precise and
  • put the most specific information at the front (as the title might be cut off).
  • Don't use same titles for more than one page and and avoid unclear titles.
  • Writing Better Web Page Titles

WCAG 2.0

Principle 2: Operable
User interface components and navigation must be operable. WCAG 2.0: Principle 2
Guideline 2.4: Navigable
Provide ways to help users navigate, find content, and determine where they are. Understanding Guideline 2.4
Success Criterion 2.4.2: Page Titled (Level A)
Web pages have titles that describe topic or purpose. Understanding: Success Criterion 2.4.2
Technique

Possible Results

Failed The title of the page seems to be suspicious

The title seems to be a default or placeholder text instead of a proper description of the content.

Passed The title of the page seems to be descriptive

The title of the web page seems to describe the content.

Passed Please check the title of the page

Human input is necessary to verify, that the title describes the content of the page.