- Success Criterion 3.3.2
- Conformance level A
Placeholder Text Used as the Only Label, Vanishing on Input
3.3.2 — Labels or Instructions
Scenario
Setting
A crowdfunding platform's campaign page
What’s wrong
Placeholder used as the only label/instruction (vanishes on entry).
Example
On a crowdfunding platform's campaign page: placeholder used as the only label/instruction (vanishes on entry).
Why it matters
Everyone filling forms, especially people with cognitive disabilities and magnifier users. The practical effect on a crowdfunding platform's campaign page: they lose their progress and have to start over.
How to test
Click into a field and type: if the only 'label' was placeholder text that disappears once you start typing, it fails.
How to fix
A persistent visible label must be provided, required status must be marked visually AND programmatically (with any symbol explained), and format rules stated before input.
Outcome
That one change on a crowdfunding platform's campaign page means they see exactly what went wrong and how to fix it.
Who is affected
Everyone filling forms, especially people with cognitive disabilities and magnifier users.
Learn more
- Understanding Understanding document (opens in a new tab)
Related scenarios
- Multi-Part Field Like a Phone Number With No Text Label
- Icon-Only Search Field With No Accessible Label
- Required Input Format Never Stated Until After an Error
- No Indication of Which Fields on a Form Are Required
- Radio Button Group Missing Its Question or Prompt Text
- Field Instructions Placed After the Field They’re Meant to Explain