How to fix label title only on WordPress.org

Steps for WordPress.org

1. For theme-controlled forms (search, comments, newsletter), open your child theme's template files in Appearance → Theme File Editor or via FTP. Locate `searchform.php`, `comments.php`, or the relevant template part and add a `<label for="s">Search</label>` (or equivalent) before each unlabeled input.
2. For plugin-generated forms (Contact Form 7, Gravity Forms, WPForms, etc.): open the form builder in the plugin's admin area, select the field, and enable 'Show label' or fill in the 'Field Label' setting. Never leave the label blank and rely only on placeholder text or a tooltip.
3. If a label must be visually hidden for design reasons, use a CSS class like `.screen-reader-text` (built into most WordPress themes) on the `<label>` element rather than removing the label or using `title` alone — this keeps the label accessible to screen readers while hiding it visually.
4. Save and verify with the axe browser extension or WP Accessibility plugin.

What is label title only?

Every input field on a web form — search boxes, email fields, quantity selectors, checkout fields — needs a visible label that sighted users can read and that assistive technologies like screen readers can announce. The `title` attribute (which appears as a browser tooltip on hover) and `aria-describedby` (which provides supplementary description) are not substitutes for a proper label. When a field relies only on these mechanisms, many users — including those using screen readers, voice-control software, or who simply have low vision — cannot tell what the field is for. This WCAG rule (label-title-only) flags any form field that lacks a proper visible label and depends solely on hidden or supplementary labeling methods.

Accessibility failures on checkout and search forms directly reduce conversions: if a customer cannot understand what to type into a field, they abandon the form. Legally, WCAG 2.1 Level AA compliance is required or strongly recommended in many jurisdictions (ADA in the US, EN 301 549 in the EU, AODA in Canada), and failing it exposes your store to complaints, audits, and litigation. Search engines also parse form labels to understand page content and site usability — a well-labeled search or newsletter form sends better signals than one Google's crawler cannot interpret. Fixing this issue improves usability for everyone, including mobile users who cannot hover to see tooltip text.

See the complete Label title only guide for every platform and the full background.