---
title: "Do links with the same accessible name have the same purpose? "
date: "2025-03-19T11:44:48+00:00"
summary: "Ensure consistent navigation with links that have identical names but serve equivalent purposes. Improve accessibility and usability."
image:
type: "page"
url: "/web-governance/do-links-same-accessible-name-have-same-purpose"
id: "d4bea80b-b3bd-479f-85ee-ccd087a05775"
---

Table of contents will be added

WCAG 2.4.9 Link Purpose (Link Only)

Introduction
------------

This document provides information about the following Acquia Web Governance accessibility check:

*   Do links with the same accessible name have the same purpose? 

What
----

When multiple links on a webpage share the same accessible name, they must direct users to the same destination or provide equivalent resources. This ensures that users, especially those who use screen readers, receive a consistent navigation experience.

The accessible name of a link is the text or label that assistive technologies such as screen readers use to describe it. Accessible names come from the following:

*   The link text itself.
*   `aria-label` or `aria-labelledby` attributes.
*   The `title` attribute, even though it is not always announced.

Why
---

Users expect that links with the same label will lead them to the same or equivalent content. 

Who
---

### Affected users

This check affects users who have:

*   Blindness or visual impairments: Who use screen readers to navigate and understand content. These users rely on link names to understand their function.
*   No impairments: Users may encounter difficulties if identical link names lead to different destinations.

Examples
--------

This section provides some pass and fail examples of this check.

### Pass examples

*   **Identical link text that leads to the same destination**
    
        <a href="https://example.com/about">Learn More</a>  
        <a href="https://example.com/about">Learn More</a>  
    
    Why this works:
    
    *   Both links that are labeled _Learn More_ lead to the same URL, `/about`.
    *   Both links provide the same information.
*   **Identical link text that leads to equivalent pages**
    
        <a href="https://example.com/cats">Read More</a>  
        <a href="https://example.com/felines">Read More</a>  
    
    Why this works:
    
    *   `/cats` and `/felines` provide equivalent content about the same topic.
    *   Both links give the same level of information.
*   **Links that have identical names but different parent context**
    
        <h2>Dogs</h2>
        <a href="https://example.com/dogs">Learn More</a>
        <h2>Cats</h2>
        <a href="https://example.com/cats">Learn More</a>
    
    Why this works:
    
    *   The surrounding headings provide unique context for each `Learn More` link.
    *   Screen readers announce the heading before the link, which clarifies its purpose.

### Fail examples

*   **Identical link text leading to different, unrelated destinations**
    
        <a href="https://example.com/about">Learn More</a>  
        <a href="https://example.com/contact">Learn More</a>  
    
    *   Issue:
        *   Both links look the same but lead to different pages.
        *   Users do not know what to expect when they click the link.
    *   Fix:
        
            <a href="https://example.com/about">Learn More About Us</a>  
            <a href="https://example.com/contact">Contact Us</a>  
        
        The link purpose is clear and distinct.
        
*   **Visually identical links without programmatic distinction**
    
        <a href="https://example.com/about">Read More</a>  
        <a href="https://example.com/services">Read More</a>  
    
    *   Issue:
        *   Users do not know which "Read More" leads to which topic.
    *   Fix:
        
            <a href="https://example.com/about">Read More About Our Company</a>  
            <a href="https://example.com/services">Read More About Our Services</a>  
        
        The updated text provides clarity about the purpose of each link.
        

How
---

This section provides instructions on how to review and fix the issue.

### How to review it

This section provides steps to follow to ensure that link names with identical accessible names have an equivalent purpose.

1.  Check for duplicate link text.
    *   Look for repeated link labels on the page.
2.  Verify that any duplicate link destinations are the same or equivalent.
    *   If the links look identical, ensure that they direct the user to the same place.
    *   If they lead to different places, edit the link labels to make them distinct.
3.  Check for contextual cues.
    *   Surrounding content such as headings must make the purpose of each link clear.
4.  Ensure that accessible names match the link purpose.
    *   Compare visible link text with attributes like `aria-label` or `title`.

### How to fix it

This section provides instructions on how to fix this issue.

*   **Use unique and descriptive link text**
    
    Example:
    
        <a href="https://example.com/jobs">View Job Openings</a>  
        <a href="https://example.com/internships">View Internship Opportunities</a>  
    
*   **Ensure that all identical link text directs the user to the same or equivalent resource**
    
    Example:
    
        <a href="https://example.com/pricing">See Pricing Plans</a>  
        <a href="https://example.com/pricing-details">See Pricing Plans</a>  
    
*   **Use contextual headings when you reuse generic link text**
    
    Example:
    
        <h3>Product Features</h3> 
        <a href="https://example.com/features">Learn More</a> 
        
        <h3>Customer Support</h3> 
        <a href="https://example.com/support">Learn More</a> 
        
    

Additional resources
--------------------

### WCAG criteria

[WCAG 2.4.9 Link Purpose (Link Only)](https://www.w3.org/WAI/WCAG21/Understanding/link-purpose-link-only.html)