Location
Information about the user's location within a set of web pages is available.
In plain language
People should always be able to tell where they currently are within the site's structure — like through a breadcrumb trail showing the path from the homepage to the current page.
Why it matters
On a large site with many nested sections, it's easy to lose track of where you are, especially for people with cognitive disabilities or those using a screen reader who can't glance at a visual map of the site. Knowing your location helps you understand context and navigate back.
In practice
Fails this criterion
A multi-level product catalog has no breadcrumbs, sitemap, or any indicator of which category or subcategory you're currently viewing.
Meets this criterion
The same catalog shows a breadcrumb trail at the top of every page (e.g., "Home > Electronics > Laptops"), making the current location clear at a glance.
Test it yourself
Navigate a few levels deep into the site's structure. Is there a clear indicator (breadcrumbs, a highlighted menu item, a page title) showing where you currently are?