Page Titled (2.4.2)

Every web page must have a descriptive title that identifies its topic or purpose.

WCAG Reference

Applies to: WCAG 2.0, WCAG 2.1, WCAG 2.2 Introduced in: WCAG 2.0 | Level: A | Read the official specification →

What this rule checks

The scanner verifies that each page has a non-empty <title> element and that the title text meaningfully describes the page content.

Why it matters

The page title is the first thing a screen reader announces when a page loads. It also appears in browser tabs, bookmarks, and search results. A missing or generic title forces users to explore the page to understand where they are.

Common failure patterns

pages with an empty <title> element
all pages sharing the same generic title like "Home" or the site name
SPA routes that do not update the document title when the view changes
titles that describe the site but not the specific page (e.g., "Acme Corp" on every page)

Remediation guidance

write titles in the format "Page Purpose — Site Name" (e.g., "Order History — Acme Store")
update document.title on route changes in single-page applications
include key differentiators when pages are similar (e.g., "Edit Profile" vs. "View Profile")
keep titles concise but specific enough to identify the page without seeing it