Link text replaced by aria-label
attribute
Screen reader compatibility
Expected Result: works in a screen reader
Actual Result: causes problems in 14 screen reader / browser combinations
A much more reliable alternative is changing the text inside in the link element start and end tags.
Tests if the user hears the ARIA label as specified by HTML Accessibility API Mappings
WCAG Technique: ARIA8
Code used for this test:
<a href='4567.html' aria-label='this is an aria label'>Click Here</a>
Reliability Trend
This graph shows reliability over time for this code in NVDA, JAWS and Voiceover. Other screen readers don't have enough historical data yet to plot trends.
Change History
Last updated: September 11, 2022
- NVDA with Chrome Stable - OK from NVDA 2018.4 to NVDA 2022.2
- NVDA with IE Better - caused problems in NVDA 2014.1, but now OK in NVDA 2019.2
- NVDA with FF Better - caused problems in NVDA 2014.1, but now OK in NVDA 2022.2
- JAWS with Chrome Stable - OK from JAWS 2018.1811.2 to JAWS 2022.2207.25
- JAWS with IE Stable - OK from JAWS 13.0.852 to JAWS 2019.1912.1
- JAWS with FF Better - caused problems in JAWS 2018.1811.2, but now OK in JAWS 2022.2207.25
- VoiceOver macOS Stable - OK from VoiceOver macOS 10.9 to VoiceOver macOS 12.5
- VoiceOver iOS Stable - OK from VoiceOver iOS 7.1 to VoiceOver iOS 15.6
- WindowEyes with IE Better - caused problems in WindowEyes 8.4, but now OK in WindowEyes 9.2
- Dolphin with IE OK in Dolphin SR 15.05
- SaToGo with IE Causes problems in SaToGo 3.4.96.0
Screen reader | Browser | Mode | Notes | What the user hears |
---|---|---|---|---|
NVDA 2022.2 | Chrome 105 | Reading | Link, this is an aria label | |
NVDA 2022.2 | Chrome 105 | Tabbing | This is an aria label, link | |
NVDA 2022.2 | FF102 | Reading | Link, this is an aria label | |
NVDA 2022.2 | FF102 | Tabbing | This is an aria label, link | |
NVDA 2022.2 | Edge 105 | Reading | Link, this is an aria label | |
NVDA 2022.2 | Edge 105 | Tabbing | This is an aria label, link | |
NVDA 2021.2 | Chrome 94 | Reading | Link, this is an aria label | |
NVDA 2021.2 | Chrome 94 | Tabbing | This is an aria label, link | |
NVDA 2021.2 | FF91 | Reading | Link, this is an aria label | |
NVDA 2021.2 | FF91 | Tabbing | This is an aria label, link | |
NVDA 2021.2 | Edge 94 | Reading | Link, this is an aria label | |
NVDA 2021.2 | Edge 94 | Tabbing | This is an aria label, link | |
NVDA 2020.2 | Chrome 86 | Reading | Link, this is an aria label | |
NVDA 2020.2 | Chrome 86 | Tabbing | This is an aria label, link | |
NVDA 2020.2 | FF78 | Reading | Link, this is an aria label | |
NVDA 2020.2 | FF78 | Tabbing | This is an aria label, link | |
NVDA 2020.2 | Edge 92 | Reading | Link, this is an aria label | |
NVDA 2020.2 | Edge 92 | Tabbing | This is an aria label, link | |
NVDA 2019.2 | Chrome 79 | Reading | Link, this is an aria label | |
NVDA 2019.2 | Chrome 79 | Tabbing | This is an aria label, link | |
NVDA 2019.2 | FF68 | Reading | Link, this is an aria label | |
NVDA 2019.2 | FF68 | Tabbing | This is an aria label, link | |
NVDA 2019.2 | IE11 | Reading | Link, this is an aria label | |
NVDA 2019.2 | IE11 | Tabbing | This is an aria label, link | |
NVDA 2018.4 | Chrome 73 | Reading | Link, this is an aria label | |
NVDA 2018.4 | Chrome 73 | Tabbing | This is an aria label, link | |
NVDA 2018.4 | FF60 | Reading | Link, this is an aria label | |
NVDA 2018.4 | FF60 | Tabbing | This is an aria label, link | |
NVDA 2018.4 | IE11 | Reading | Link, this is an aria label | |
NVDA 2018.4 | IE11 | Tabbing | This is an aria label, link | |
NVDA 2017.3 | FF60 | Reading | Link, this is an aria label | |
NVDA 2017.3 | FF60 | Tabbing | This is an aria label, link | |
NVDA 2017.3 | IE11 | Reading | Link, this is an aria label | |
NVDA 2017.3 | IE11 | Tabbing | This is an aria label, link | |
NVDA 2016.2 | FF48 | Reading | Link, this is an aria label | |
NVDA 2016.2 | FF48 | Tabbing | This is an aria label, link | |
NVDA 2016.2 | IE11 | Reading | Link, this is an aria label | |
NVDA 2016.2 | IE11 | Tabbing | This is an aria label, link | |
NVDA 2015.2 | FF40 | Reading | Link, this is an aria label | |
NVDA 2015.2 | FF40 | Tabbing | This is an aria label, link | |
NVDA 2015.2 | IE11 | Reading | Link, this is an aria label | |
NVDA 2015.2 | IE11 | Tabbing | This is an aria label, link | |
NVDA 2014.1 | FF28 | Reading | aria-label ignored | link click here |
NVDA 2014.1 | FF28 | Tabbing | aria-label ignored | Click here, link |
NVDA 2014.1 | IE11 | Reading | aria-label ignored | link click here |
NVDA 2014.1 | IE11 | Tabbing | aria-label ignored | Click here, link |
NVDA 2012.1 | FF28 | Reading | aria-label ignored | link click here |
NVDA 2012.1 | FF28 | Tabbing | aria-label ignored | click here link |
NVDA 2012.3 | IE11 | Reading | aria-label ignored | link click here |
NVDA 2012.3 | IE11 | Tabbing | aria-label ignored | click here link |
JAWS 2022.2207.25 | Chrome 105 | Reading | Link, this is an aria label | |
JAWS 2022.2207.25 | Chrome 105 | Tabbing | This is an aria label, link | |
JAWS 2022.2207.25 | FF102 | Reading | Link, this is an aria label | |
JAWS 2022.2207.25 | FF102 | Tabbing | This is an aria label, link | |
JAWS 2022.2207.25 | Edge 105 | Reading | Link, this is an aria label | |
JAWS 2022.2207.25 | Edge 105 | Tabbing | This is an aria label, link | |
JAWS 2021.2107.12 | Chrome 94 | Reading | Link, this is an aria label | |
JAWS 2021.2107.12 | Chrome 94 | Tabbing | This is an aria label, link | |
JAWS 2021.2107.12 | FF91 | Reading | Link, this is an aria label | |
JAWS 2021.2107.12 | FF91 | Tabbing | This is an aria label, link | |
JAWS 2021.2107.12 | Edge 94 | Reading | Link, this is an aria label | |
JAWS 2021.2107.12 | Edge 94 | Tabbing | This is an aria label, link | |
JAWS 2020.2008.24 | Chrome 86 | Reading | Link, this is an aria label | |
JAWS 2020.2008.24 | Chrome 86 | Tabbing | This is an aria label, link | |
JAWS 2020.2008.24 | FF78 | Reading | Link, this is an aria label | |
JAWS 2020.2008.24 | FF78 | Tabbing | This is an aria label, link | |
JAWS 2020.2008.24 | Edge 92 | Reading | Link, this is an aria label | |
JAWS 2020.2008.24 | Edge 92 | Tabbing | This is an aria label, link | |
JAWS 2019.1912.1 | Chrome 79 | Reading | Link, this is an aria label | |
JAWS 2019.1912.1 | Chrome 79 | Tabbing | This is an aria label, link | |
JAWS 2019.1912.1 | FF68 | Reading | Link, this is an aria label | |
JAWS 2019.1912.1 | FF68 | Tabbing | This is an aria label, link | |
JAWS 2019.1912.1 | IE11 | Reading | Link, this is an aria label | |
JAWS 2019.1912.1 | IE11 | Tabbing | This is an aria label, link | |
JAWS 2018.1811.2 | Chrome 73 | Reading | Link, this is an aria label | |
JAWS 2018.1811.2 | Chrome 73 | Tabbing | Tab, this is an aria label, link | |
JAWS 2018.1811.2 | FF60 | Reading | aria-label ignored | Link, click here |
JAWS 2018.1811.2 | FF60 | Tabbing | Tab, this is an aria label, link | |
JAWS 2018.1811.2 | IE11 | Reading | Link, this is an aria label | |
JAWS 2018.1811.2 | IE11 | Tabbing | Tab, this is an aria label, link | |
JAWS 18.0.5038 | FF52 | Reading | Link, this is an aria label | |
JAWS 18.0.5038 | FF52 | Tabbing | Tab, this is an aria label, link | |
JAWS 18.0.5038 | IE11 | Reading | Link, this is an aria label | |
JAWS 18.0.5038 | IE11 | Tabbing | Tab, this is an aria label, link | |
JAWS 17.0.2619 | FF48 | Reading | Link, this is an aria label | |
JAWS 17.0.2619 | FF48 | Tabbing | This is an aria label, link | |
JAWS 17.0.2619 | IE11 | Reading | Link, this is an aria label | |
JAWS 17.0.2619 | IE11 | Tabbing | This is an aria label, link | |
JAWS 16.0.4350 | FF40 | Reading | Link, this is an aria label | |
JAWS 16.0.4350 | FF40 | Tabbing | This is an aria label, link | |
JAWS 16.0.4350 | IE11 | Reading | Link, this is an aria label | |
JAWS 16.0.4350 | IE11 | Tabbing | This is an aria label, link | |
JAWS 15.0.9023 | FF29 | Reading | Link, this is an aria label | |
JAWS 15.0.9023 | FF29 | Tabbing | This is an aria label, link | |
JAWS 15.0.9023 | IE11 | Reading | Link, this is an aria label, click here. | |
JAWS 15.0.9023 | IE11 | Tabbing | This is an aria label, link | |
JAWS 14.0.9002 | FF29 | Reading | link, this is an aria label | |
JAWS 14.0.9002 | FF29 | Tabbing | This is an aria label, link | |
JAWS 14.0.9002 | IE11 | Reading | link, this is an aria label, click here | |
JAWS 14.0.9002 | IE11 | Tabbing | This is an aria label, link | |
JAWS 13.0.852 | FF28 | Reading | aria-label repeated 5 times | link, this is an aria label, this is an aria label, this is an aria label, this is an aria label, click here |
JAWS 13.0.852 | FF28 | Tabbing | aria-label repeated 5 times | This is an aria label, this is an aria label, this is an aria label, this is an aria label, click here link |
JAWS 13.0.852 | IE11 | Reading | link, this is an aria label, click here | |
JAWS 13.0.852 | IE11 | Tabbing | This is an aria label, click here link | |
WindowEyes 9.2 | IE11 | Reading | Link, this is an aria label | |
WindowEyes 9.2 | IE11 | Tabbing | Link, this is an aria label | |
WindowEyes 8.4 | IE11 | Reading | aria-label ignored | Link click here |
WindowEyes 8.4 | IE11 | Tabbing | Link, this is an aria label | |
VoiceOver macOS 12.5 | Safari 15.6 | Reading | Link, this is an aria label | |
VoiceOver macOS 12.5 | Safari 15.6 | Tabbing | Link, this is an aria label | |
VoiceOver macOS 11.5 | Safari 15.0 | Reading | Link, this is an aria label | |
VoiceOver macOS 11.5 | Safari 15.0 | Tabbing | Link, this is an aria label | |
VoiceOver macOS 10.15 | Safari 14.1 | Reading | Link, this is an aria label | |
VoiceOver macOS 10.15 | Safari 14.1 | Tabbing | Link, this is an aria label | |
VoiceOver macOS 10.14 | Safari 13.0 | Reading | Link, this is an aria label | |
VoiceOver macOS 10.14 | Safari 13.0 | Tabbing | Link, this is an aria label | |
VoiceOver macOS 10.13 | Safari 12.1 | Reading | Link, this is an aria label | |
VoiceOver macOS 10.13 | Safari 12.1 | Tabbing | Link, this is an aria label | |
VoiceOver macOS 10.12 | Safari 10.1.2 | Reading | Link, this is an aria label | |
VoiceOver macOS 10.12 | Safari 10.1.2 | Tabbing | Link, this is an aria label | |
VoiceOver macOS 10.11 | Safari 9.1.2 | Reading | Link, this is an aria label | |
VoiceOver macOS 10.11 | Safari 9.1.2 | Tabbing | Link, this is an aria label | |
VoiceOver macOS 10.10 | Safari 8.0.6 | Reading | Link, this is an aria label | |
VoiceOver macOS 10.10 | Safari 8.0.6 | Tabbing | Link, this is an aria label | |
VoiceOver macOS 10.9 | Safari 7.0.3 | Reading | link, click here, this is an aria label | |
VoiceOver macOS 10.9 | Safari 7.0.3 | Tabbing | link, click here, this is an aria label | |
VoiceOver iOS 15.6 | Safari iOS 15.6 | Touch | This is an aria label, link | |
VoiceOver iOS 14.7 | Safari iOS 14.7 | Touch | This is an aria label, link | |
VoiceOver iOS 13.3 | Safari iOS 13.3 | Touch | This is an aria label, link | |
VoiceOver iOS 12.4 | Safari iOS 12.4 | Touch | This is an aria label, link | |
VoiceOver iOS 11.4 | Safari iOS 11.4 | Touch | This is an aria label, link | |
VoiceOver iOS 10.3 | Safari iOS 10.3 | Touch | This is an aria label, link | |
VoiceOver iOS 9.1 | Safari iOS 9.1 | Touch | This is an aria label, link | |
VoiceOver iOS 8.4 | Safari iOS 8.4 | Touch | This is an aria label, link | |
VoiceOver iOS 7.1 | Safari iOS 7.1 | Touch | This is an aria label, link | |
Dolphin SR 15.05 | IE11 | Reading | This is an aria label, click here, link | |
Dolphin SR 15.05 | IE11 | Tabbing | This is an aria label, link | |
SaToGo 3.4.96.0 | IE11 | Reading | aria-label ignored | link click here |
SaToGo 3.4.96.0 | IE11 | Tabbing | aria-label ignored | click here link |
SortSite rules: AccHtmlLinkTextAmbiguous
Test notes
All tests were carried out with screen reader factory settings. JAWS in particular has a wide variety of settings controlling exactly what gets spoken.
Screen readers allow users to interact in different modes, and can produce very different results in each mode. The modes used in these tests are:
- Reading Content read using the “read next” command in a screen reader
- Tabbing Content read using the “tab” key in a screen reader
- Heading Content read using the “next heading” key in a screen reader
- Touch Content read when touching an area of screen on a mobile device
In the “What the user hears” column:
- Commas represent short pauses in screen reader voicing
- Full Stops represent places where voicing stops, and the “read next” or “tab” or “next heading” command is pressed again
- Ellipsis … represent a long pause in voicing
- (Brackets) represent voicing that requires a keystroke to hear