And this is a button too. But… this identical shape over here isn’t a button? Don’t tease me like that!
Consistent Identification ensures that repeated elements, like buttons, icons, or links, are identified in the same way across pages, making it easier for users to recognize and understand familiar elements.
Who this impacts
- People with cognitive impairments: Consistency helps reduce confusion and cognitive load, allowing users to recognize and interact with elements they’ve seen before.
- Assistive technology users: Screen reader users benefit from consistent labels, making repeated actions easier to identify.
- Everyone: Familiarity is valuable to everyone, it makes it easier to find what you need and get predictable results.
How to meet Consistent Identification
- Use the same icons and labels across pages: For repeated elements, ensure they look and function the same way throughout the site.
- Standardize labels and actions: Use the same labels and visual indicators for similar actions, helping users understand what to expect.
- Test for consistency: Check that users can recognize elements across pages, confirming that icons and labels don’t change unexpectedly.
Practical example
Catfest uses blue lozenge shapes with white text for buttons. So Book tickets is a button, Book VIP tickets, and Venue information are all clickable buttons. But More info coming soon is also a blue lozenge shape with white writing, yet isn’t actually a button. This can cause confusion and frustration for all users. We have a quick video about frustration and rage clicking, too.
Top tips
- Keep visuals consistent: Avoid changing icons or button styles for similar actions across pages.
- Use familiar labels: Stick with the same terms for repeated actions to prevent confusion.
- Test for clarity: Make sure users can recognize elements reliably, especially for frequently used actions.