A: Frames must have a unique title attribute (WCAG 4.1.2)

• Meaning
• Impact
• Recommendation
• Examples

Ensure that <iframe> and <frame> elements have a unique title attribute.

This means

On a page with multiple embeds, each embed needs its own descriptive title. Identical titles like “Frame,” “Map,” or “Video” do not help. The title briefly describes the purpose or content and differs for each embed, for example “Map Branch Center” and “Map Branch West.”

Impact

If multiple frames have the same title, screen readers announce each entry identically. Users lose orientation, skip important content, or leave the page. This creates barriers to navigation and understanding and violates the WCAG.

Recommendation

• Assign unique, precise titles: specify content and context (section, location, step).

• Derive from the page: include heading, product name, or location in the title.

• Consider language: formulate the title in the page language.

• Technical or decorative embeds: hide from assistive technology (aria-hidden="true" and tabindex="-1") or remove.

• No placeholders like “frame1,” “content,” “embed.”

Example

Problematic

<!-- three iframes with the same, meaningless title -->
<iframe src="/map/mitte"    title="Map"></iframe>
<iframe src="/map/west"     title="Map"></iframe>
<iframe src="/video/intro"  title="Video"></iframe>

Better

<iframe src="/map/mitte"   title="Map Branch Berlin Center"></iframe>
<iframe src="/map/west"    title="Map Branch Berlin West"></iframe>
<iframe src="/video/intro" title="Introduction to Accessibility – Product Video"></iframe>
 
<!-- purely promotional embed not relevant for people -->
<iframe src="/ads/slot-1" title="Ad Space" aria-hidden="true" tabindex="-1"></iframe>

Related WCAG criterion:
WCAG 4.1.2 - Name, Role, Value