Hidden in Plain Sight: What Labels?

Vibe Check – Hidden in Plain Sight: Why Do We Need Labels?

Labels are one of the simplest yet one of the most important elements in digital design. They provide clarity, reduce confusion, and guide people through interactions. But too often, labels are either missing, vague, or replaced with icons that assume universal understanding. When this happens, people are forced to guess—and inaccessibility follows.

A well-labeled experience benefits everyone, from users navigating with screen readers to those who simply need a little extra clarity. Let’s explore why labels matter and how missing or unclear labels can create usability challenges.

Personal Story – Struggling with a Label-Free Interface

I once tested a website that had a sleek, minimalist design. Instead of visible field labels, it relied on placeholder text inside input fields. At first, everything seemed fine—until I started filling out the form.

The moment I typed in my name, the placeholder text disappeared, leaving me unsure if I was in the right field. When I reached the password section, I had no idea whether there were specific character requirements because there was no label or hint text. Then, when I encountered a lone icon of an envelope, I had to assume it was the email field—without a clear label, I couldn’t be sure.

When I tested the same form with a screen reader, the experience was even worse. Without proper labeling, the screen reader announced fields generically as “edit text” with no additional context. It was a guessing game from start to finish.

This experience reinforced a crucial lesson: if people have to guess, the design has failed them. Labels should never be an afterthought—they should be a core part of any user-friendly experience.

Elevate the Vibe – Why Clear Labels Are Essential

A label does more than just describe an element—it provides meaning and direction. When labels are missing, ambiguous, or overly reliant on visual context, usability suffers.

Here’s how missing labels create barriers:

1) Placeholder Text Disappears—Taking Instructions with It

The Problem: Many designers use placeholder text instead of visible labels to keep interfaces “clean.” But once a user types in a field, the placeholder disappears, leaving no reference for what was originally there.

Why It’s a Barrier:

• People with cognitive disabilities may forget what the field required.
• If a form is long, users may need to double-check what they entered—but without a visible label, they have to delete their input to see the placeholder again.
• Screen readers don’t always announce placeholders as labels, making forms inaccessible.

Fix It: Always use visible labels outside of input fields. Placeholders can be useful for extra hints but should never replace actual labels.

2) Icons Without Text – When Guesswork Becomes a Requirement

The Problem: Many interfaces rely solely on icons for navigation or actions, assuming users will recognize them. However, icons can be ambiguous without accompanying text.

Why It’s a Barrier:

• Not all users interpret icons the same way. For example, a “hamburger menu” (☰) isn’t universally understood.
• People with cognitive disabilities or those new to technology may struggle to recognize icons without text descriptions.
• Screen readers may not interpret icons correctly unless they have proper alt text or ARIA labels.

Fix It: Always pair icons with text labels. For interactive elements, ensure they have proper ARIA roles or aria-label attributes.

3) Ambiguous Button Labels – What Happens When “Submit” Means Nothing

The Problem: Generic button labels like “Submit” or “Continue” don’t tell users what action they’re taking.

Why It’s a Barrier:

• Users with cognitive disabilities may struggle to understand what the button does without extra context.
• If a form has multiple buttons, it’s unclear which one performs what action.
• Voice control users rely on specific button names to activate them (e.g., saying “Click Submit” isn’t as effective as “Click Send Message”).

Fix It: Be descriptive with button labels—use phrases like “Create Account,” “Send Message,” or “Place Order” to provide clarity.

4) Form Fields Without Proper Associations

The Problem: Labels aren’t just about visible text—they need to be programmatically associated with form fields so assistive technologies can recognize them.

Why It’s a Barrier:

• A label might be present visually but not linked to the input field in the code, meaning screen readers won’t announce it.
• Users navigating with voice commands won’t be able to activate fields correctly if labels aren’t properly connected.

Fix It: Use <label for="id"> in HTML to explicitly link labels with their corresponding input fields. Alternatively, wrap the input inside the <label> element for a direct association.

Vibe Boost – Creating Clear, Accessible Labels

1) Use Descriptive Labels, Not Just Icons or Placeholders

• Example: Instead of just a magnifying glass icon for search, use “Search” next to it.
• Place labels outside input fields, so they don’t disappear when users type.

2) Make Buttons and Links Self-Explanatory

• “Learn More” → Learn More About Our Pricing
• “Click Here” → Download the Accessibility Guide
• “Submit” → Sign Up for the Newsletter

3) Ensure Labels Are Programmatically Connected

• Use <label for="field-id">Field Label</label> for inputs.
• Add aria-label for extra context when necessary.

4) Think About Readability and Scalability

• Make sure text labels are large enough to be readable.
• Use proper contrast for text against background colors.
• Don’t rely solely on color to differentiate labels (e.g., don’t use color coding without accompanying text).

Self-Reflection – Evaluating Your Labels

Ask yourself:

• Do all my form fields have clear, visible labels?
• Are my buttons descriptive enough to tell users exactly what they do?
• Do I rely too much on placeholders or icons without text?
• Have I tested my labels with screen readers and voice commands?

If any of these questions make you hesitate, it’s time for a label audit!

Vibe in Action – Making Labels Work for Everyone

1) Apply What You’ve Learned

• Review your website or app for missing or unclear labels.
• Add proper labels to all form fields, buttons, and interactive elements.

2) Share the Knowledge

• Educate your design and development team about the importance of labeling.
• Advocate for accessibility-first approaches in UI design.

3) Keep Learning

• Follow accessibility guidelines like WCAG and ARIA best practices.
• Test your interface with people who use assistive technology.

Vibing Out

Labels aren’t just an extra detail—they’re essential for usability and accessibility. When labels are missing, vague, or hidden in plain sight, users are left guessing. And if people have to guess, the design isn’t working.

Let’s stop treating labels as an afterthought and start designing experiences where clarity comes first. Because when information is clear, everyone benefits.