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Writing Consistent Text Alternatives for Repeated Icons

Writing Consistent Text Alternatives for Repeated Icons records a distinct W3C-supported accessibility writing task while keeping implementation mechanics outside the writing guidance.

ReviewedEvidence1 sourceSectionWriting & Style
Quick answer

Use consistent text alternatives for repeated icons that perform the same function, and change the wording when the function or target actually changes.

Key details

Core IssueWCAG 2.2 Consistent Identification states that repeated components with the same functionality should be identified consistently, including their text alternatives.
Registerweb accessibility and interface content

Important caveats

Scope Boundary

Do not force identical wording onto icons that serve different functions in different contexts; consistency follows function, not visual shape alone.

Further guidance

Content

For an icon that performs the same function across a set of pages, use the same text-alternative pattern; vary it only when the target or function genuinely changes.

Purpose

Consistent text alternatives help people who depend on nonvisual labels recognize repeated controls and predict what they will do.

Sources and evidence

Sources are shown with the role they play in this guide. Historical or style-sensitive claims are kept within the evidence boundary described above.

  1. Understanding SC 3.2.4: Consistent Identification (opens in a new tab)World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) · WCAG 2.2 guidance for consistent labels, accessible names, and text alternatives for repeated functionality.

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