WCAG A/AA requirement Priority: Moderate · experimental check: may need a manual look
Some headings are only bold or large text
Some paragraphs look like headings because they are bold, italic or larger, but in the code they are ordinary text, not real headings.
This text was translated automatically and has not been reviewed by a native speaker yet.
Why it matters to your customers
Blind shoppers often jump from heading to heading to find sections such as "Description", "Delivery" or "Reviews". Fake headings are invisible to this navigation, so they have to listen through the whole page and may miss important information.
Who is affected
- blind customers
- screen reader users
- people who navigate with keyboard shortcuts
How to fix it
Turn text that works as a section title into a real heading (<h2>, <h3> and so on) in a logical order, and use CSS for the look. In editors, choose "Heading 2" or "Heading 3" in the format menu instead of making text bold or bigger. If the text is not a heading, leave it as a paragraph: axe marks this check as experimental and sometimes flags bold intro sentences.
On Shopify
Usually in product descriptions, pages or blog posts. In the rich text editor, select the text and choose a heading format instead of bold; in theme sections, use a heading block where the theme offers one.
On Shoptet (CZ)
Usually in product descriptions or articles. Choose a heading format in the editor instead of bold text, or fix the HTML in the source code view.
On PrestaShop
Usually in product descriptions or CMS pages. Choose a heading format in the editor's toolbar, or fix the HTML in the source code view.
On WooCommerce
Usually in product descriptions or page builder content. Use the Heading block in the block editor or the heading widget of your page builder instead of a bold paragraph.
Standards
| Standard | Clause |
|---|---|
| WCAG 2.2 | 1.3.1 (A) Info and Relationships |
| WCAG 2.1 | 1.3.1 (A) Info and Relationships |
| WCAG 2.0 | 1.3.1 (A) Info and Relationships |
| EN 301 549 4.1.1 | 9.1.3.1 |
| EN 301 549 3.2.1 | 9.1.3.1 |
| Section 508 2017 | E205.4 |
| ДСТУ EN 301 549 2022 | 9.1.3.1 |
Automated check: axe-core rule p-as-heading.
dequeuniversity.com, github.com, www.w3.org
Related checks
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Accessibility attributes are used on the wrong elements
WCAG 4.1.2 A
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Some elements use a role that does not exist
WCAG 4.1.2 A
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Some embedded files or media have no text description
WCAG 1.1.1 A
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Some labels point to the wrong element
WCAG 4.1.2 A