Link Title Attribute in SEO, Accessibility, and Usability

Remember, title element or title tag are not a title attribute. They are different. Title element for the document title, and title attribute usually available on link markups.

The title attribute on W3C standard related to HTML4 DOCTYPE:

title = text
This attribute offers advisory information about the element for which it is set.

Unlike the TITLE element, which provides information about an entire document and may only appear once, the title attribute may annotate any number of elements…
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Values of the title attribute may be rendered by user agents in a variety of ways. For instance, visual browsers frequently display the title as a “tool tip” (a short message that appears when the pointing device pauses over an object). Audio user agents may speak the title information in a similar context.

What is the function of title attribute?

It will give descriptive hints of the link to the users (user-agents or machines, and human). As an addition to the anchor text. If anchor text is already descriptive enough, so no need for extra information, right? Do not put important or essential information on title atribute! Read below.

SEO point of view

In SEO, the attribute has become more popular and debatable. Affecting search engine results or ranking? Recently, most big web sites and weblogs in SEO are already use the title attributes properly. Others, believe it still has a score in algorithm. Google and search engine rules changes frequently. Please, just do not abuse it!

Title attribute tests at SEO lab did these kind of old trial:

• Test 1: title attribute on table tag with keyword khamapredfrgxx. Now find khamapredfrgxx on Google!
• Test 2: title attribute on link with keyword fdamadharmapadra. Search fdamadharmapadra on Google!

What is your results? What do you think?

Web accessibility and usability recommendation

The survey, Assistive technology users test title attribute access (2005) by Steven Faulkner from PacielloGroup.com.
Conclusions:

• Most users of screen reading software do not change their default settings to access the TITLE attribute information on links.
• Most screen reading software can access TITLE attribute content on form controls by default.
• …

Screen reader user survey by Jared Smith on WebAIM blog found:

CAPTCHA, Flash, ambiguous links, poor/missing alternative text, complex forms, and poor keyboard accessibility are cited as the most problematic items on the web.

Title attribute is not fully accessible. Screen reader softwares do not have that feature on, by its default setting. And the tooltip only works on mouse over. Still want to use it? It would be more usable and accessible if title attributes and anchor texts do not contain redundant or duplicated information.

Your choice

Descriptive anchor text is more than enough. WordPress does have it by default. In their core, there are title attributes in such wp_list_pages(), wp_list_categories(), wp_get_archives(), etc. You may try Remove Title Attributes plugin. Find through your dashboard panel, points to Add New plugins. Beware of your configuration options. Remember to check the results.

In Indonesian, you may read my old post of the same topic on Atribut title terkait aksesibilitas dan SEO.

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