3.2.3

3.2.3 Consistent Navigation

WCAG says:

Navigational mechanisms that are repeated on multiple Web pages within a set of Web pages occur in the same relative order each time they are repeated, unless a change is initiated by the user.

When this is applicable

If a website is more than one page.

Check navigational features

Browse through each set of web pages to identify recurring navigational features, but only test the pages that are in scope for your testing.

Examples of recurring navigational features include things like main and sub navigation, breadcrumbs or search box.

Check:

• recurring navigational features are in the same relative order - you can see this in the code by using the same tools as under 1.3.2 Meaningful Sequence

Check the order of components as well as of individual granular items within them.

When checking recurring navigational features, keep in mind:

• their position isn't relevant for this check
• there can be missing or extra items as long as the recurring items are in the same order as before
• they don't need to be on all pages

Exceptions

This Success Criterion does not apply if the order can be changed by the user, for example with settings on the website or assistive technologies.

Best practice

• Recurring navigational features should look the same and be in the same location
• There should be no items missing from page to page
• Navigational features should be on most pages
• Consider not failing homepages because users are used to them being so different

Mobile app testing

No difference