- Success Criterion 3.2.4
- Conformance level AA
3.2.4 · Consistent Identification
Lesson overview · Consistent Identification
In plain language
The same feature must be labeled/named the same way everywhere.
Who it affects
Screen-reader users and people with cognitive disabilities who rely on consistent naming.
How to check
List repeated features (search, download, cart) across pages: names, icons and alt text should match.
Common misconception
Calling the same feature “Search” in one place and “Find” in another feels like harmless variation to a copywriter, but it forces users to relearn the interface on every page.
Learn more
Scenarios in this lesson
- Same Feature Given a Different Name on Different Pages
- Search Function Labeled ‘Search’ Here and ‘Find’ Elsewhere
- Same Icon Meaning Different Things on Different Pages
- Shopping Cart Alternating Between ‘Cart’, ‘Basket’, and ‘Bag’
- Identical Icon Given Different Accessible Names for One Function
- Print Function Labeled Inconsistently Across the Site
- Same Download Feature Announced With Different Alt Text
- Help Link Labeled Differently Every Time It Appears