Remove title attributes: link-template.php

[joedolson]

Related: #24766

// link-template.php
edit_term_link()
edit_post_link()
edit_comment_link()
edit_bookmark_link()
get_adjacent_post_rel_link()
the_shortlink()

[joedolson]

These have mostly been resolved. get_adjacent_post_rel_link() is a valid use of the title attribute (in a <link> element), most others have been removed.

The title attribute use in the_shortlink() is somewhat valid, since it does provide more information about the link. And, since the_shortlink() is used in themes, adding screen reader text is perhaps problematic, since we can't guarantee that styles are applied for that.

My feeling is that this is less than ideal, but I don't really have an alternate suggestion. Themes can implement this in a more accessible manner, according to their own methods by replacing the link text, since this is readily filterable. Probably should just be left as is, but I'm open to second opinions with another idea.

[obenland]

Was this fixed in r25570?

[GaryJ]

Replying to obenland:

Was this fixed in r25570?

There's still a title attribute in the_shortlink(). The default value for this is the sanitized post title, which is different to the default anchor text. This means, by default, it's not redundant.

[GaryJ]

Having chatted with Rian at WCLDN, we agree with Joe - the title attribute on the shortlink can be left in. It's not a hinderance to screen readers, and the default anchor text of "This is a shortlink" is more descriptively helpful than replacing that content with the post title.

The question, from a non-accessibility view, might be whether the tooltip is sufficiently helpful for visual readers or not? If not, then for consistency with other links and to therefore match user expectations, the attribute should be removed.

[joedolson]

I'm comfortable with closing this and letting it stand as is. If we come up with some alternative in the future, we can handle this then.