---
title: "A: Links must have discernible text  (WCAG 2.4.4 + 4.1.2)"
description: "A: Links must have discernible text  (WCAG 2.4.4 + 4.1.2) SiteCockpit Monitoring"
---

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# A: Links must have discernible text  (WCAG 2.4.4 + 4.1.2)

## link-name

- [**Meaning**](https://help.sitecockpit.com/en/documentation/easymonitoring-checks/manual-checks/link-name#This-means)
- [**Impact**](https://help.sitecockpit.com/en/documentation/easymonitoring-checks/manual-checks/link-name#Impact)
- [**Recommendation**](https://help.sitecockpit.com/en/documentation/easymonitoring-checks/manual-checks/link-name#Recommendation)
- [**Examples**](https://help.sitecockpit.com/en/documentation/easymonitoring-checks/manual-checks/link-name#Examples)
- [**Note**](https://help.sitecockpit.com/en/documentation/easymonitoring-checks/manual-checks/link-name#Note)

Ensure that links include perceivable text.

### **This means**

The link (`<a>`) has no recognizable name, e.g., only an icon without text, an image link with empty `alt` attribute, or an empty `<a>`. Screen readers cannot announce where the link leads; keyboard users only see “Link” without purpose.

### Impact

Without understandable naming, navigation is confusing or unusable. Users make wrong decisions, abort processes (e.g., donations/checkout), and the site violates WCAG A criteria – posing risks for compliance and conversion.

### **Recommendation**

Give every link a meaningful name:

- **Preferred:** visible link text in the `<a>` (short, clear, describing the target).
- **If no visible text is possible:** use `aria-label="…"` or `aria-labelledby="…"` attributes.
- **Image link:** descriptive `alt` on the `<img>` element.
- **Icon-only:** additionally hidden text (`<span class="sr-only">…</span>`) or `aria-label`.
- **Only technical/decorative:** hide from AT (`aria-hidden="true"`) and remove from tab focus (`tabindex="-1"`), or remove the element.

### **Examples**

*Good:*

```
<a href="/donate">Donate now</a><a href="/profile" aria-label="Open profile"><svg><!-- … --></svg></a><a href="/about"><img src="team.jpg" alt="About us – team page"></a>
```

*Problematic:*

```
<a href="#"><i class="icon-arrow"></i></a>         <!-- no name --><a href="/about"><img src="team.jpg" alt=""></a>  <!-- empty alt -->
```

*Option 2: Without permanent underlining — only with additional differentiation*

- **And:** Color contrast between link text and surrounding text ≥ 3:1
- **And: **Additional indicator on hover/focus (underlining, icon, outline, bold font)

```
<p>Mehr dazu im <a href="/guide" class="link2">Leitfaden</a>.</p><style>.link2{  color:#1d4ed8; font-weight:600;           /* Kontrast + Gewichtung */  text-decoration:none; border-bottom:1px dotted currentColor; /* Formindikator */}.link2:hover,.link2:focus{ text-decoration: underline; outline:2px solid currentColor; outline-offset:2px; }</style>
```

### Note

Regardless of this, normal text must still meet the 1.4.3 contrast requirement (4.5:1) against the background.

**Related WCAG criterion:**  
[WCAG 2.4.4 – Link purpose](https://www.w3.org/WAI/WCAG22/Understanding/link-purpose-in-context.html)  
[WCAG 4.1.2 – Name, Role, Value](https://www.w3.org/WAI/WCAG22/Understanding/name-role-value.html)

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