Operable · Level AAA · Introduced in WCAG 2.0
WCAG 2.4.9: Link Purpose (Link Only)
Published by whatisADA / Grow Wild Agency · Updated
What this criterion means
At Level AAA, a mechanism lets users identify each link's purpose from link text alone, except where the purpose is generally ambiguous. This is stricter than relying on paragraph or table context.
A practical example
A dashboard replaces repeated “Download” links with “Download March invoice” and “Download April invoice.” A screen reader's links list can then distinguish the files without reading each surrounding card.
How to check it
- List links without their surrounding paragraphs or headings.
- Check whether the text available through the site's mechanism identifies each destination or action.
- Verify that visible and accessible link names remain consistent and that repeated links with different destinations are distinguishable.
What can be missed
Do not confuse this enhanced criterion with 2.4.4, which permits certain programmatic context. Avoid excessively long names that repeat an entire card when a short specific label will do.
Record your test
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These are your observations, not automated results or a conformance certificate. A complete evaluation needs appropriate scope, supported technologies, all applicable criteria and relevant page states.
Primary sources and scope
This is independent implementation guidance with original examples. The linked standard contains the full definitions, exceptions and conformance requirements. A criterion or checklist alone does not establish legal applicability or whole-site conformance.