How to Add Title Attribute in WordPress Navigation Menus

We believe every visitor to your website deserves the best possible experience. Your navigation menu is a key part of that, acting as a friendly guide.

To make that guide even clearer, you can add a title attribute in WordPress navigation menus. This small step has a big impact on your site’s accessibility.

For visitors using screen readers, these attributes read aloud a short description of the link. It provides them with extra clarity on where a link will take them.

This also gives search engines a bit more information about your site structure. It’s a win for both your human visitors and your SEO.

We’ll show you exactly where to find this setting and how to use it effectively. Let’s make your website even better, together.

Why Add Title Attributes to Navigation Menu Items?

In WordPress, you can add a title attribute to better describe any HTML element. This is often used with links and images to provide extra information that appears as a tooltip when the user hovers their mouse over the element.

Here’s an example of an image title attribute displayed in a tooltip. The user can learn more information about the image by moving their mouse over it.

You can learn more in our guide on the difference between image alt text vs. title.

We also recommend you use the title attribute when adding links to your post. This allows users to see where the link will take them before they click it.

The title attribute may also be read out loud by screen readers that are used by visually impaired users. However, the screen reader will already read the menu item, so there is no need to add a title attribute unless it contains useful additional information.

With that being said, let’s take a look at how to add the title attribute in WordPress navigation menus. You can use the links below to jump to the method that works with your theme:

1. Adding a Title Attribute to Classic Theme Menu Items
2. Adding a Title Attribute to Block Theme Menu Items
3. Frequently Asked Questions
4. Expert Guides for Customizing WordPress Navigation Menus

Adding a Title Attribute to Classic Theme Menu Items

If you are using a classic WordPress theme, then you can customize your navigation menu by visiting Appearance » Menus in your dashboard.

However, you are not able to add a title attribute to menu entries by default.

To add this capability, you will need to click the ‘Screen Options‘ tab in the top right corner of the screen. This will bring down a menu, where you need to click on the check box next to the ‘Title Attribute’ option.

This will add a title attribute field for when you create or edit a menu entry.

Now, you can scroll down and click on any menu item in your existing menu to expand it. You will see the title attribute field.

You can now add the text you want to use as a title. You can also expand other menu items and add title attributes to them.

Don’t forget to click on the ‘Save Menu’ button at the bottom of the page to store your changes.

You can now visit your WordPress website and take your mouse over a link in the navigation menu. You will see the title attribute displayed as a tooltip.

Adding a Title Attribute to Block Theme Menu Items

If you are using a block theme, then you can customize your navigation menu using the Full Site Editor. This editor allows you to add title attributes to your menu entries by default.

First, you need to navigate to Appearance » Editor in your WordPress admin area and then click on the ‘Navigation’ option to find your menus.

You will need to select the menu you wish to edit from the list.

Now, you can click the preview pane on the left to open the editor full screen. Make sure you can see the settings pane on the left. If not, then you can display it by clicking the ‘Settings’ button at the top of the screen.

Next, click the menu item in the settings pane that you wish to edit. This will display the options for that entry, including the title attribute.

Simply type your title into the ‘Title Attribute’ field.

Make sure you click the ‘Save’ button at the top of the screen to store the new settings. You will need to click a second ‘Save’ button to confirm.

Now, you can visit your website to see the menu title attribute in action.

Frequently Asked Questions

We understand you might have a few more questions about menu title attributes. Below, we have answered some of the most common ones to help you out.

1. What is a menu title attribute in WordPress?

A title attribute adds extra, descriptive text to a menu item. When a visitor hovers their mouse over the menu link, this text appears in a small tooltip, providing more context about where the link will take them.

2. Are menu title attributes good for SEO?

Yes, they can be beneficial for SEO. Title attributes provide search engines with more information about your link and site structure. While not a major ranking factor, it’s a good practice that contributes to a well-optimized site.

3. How do I enable the title attribute for menus in WordPress?

If you’re using a classic theme, the title attribute field is hidden by default. You can enable it by going to Appearance » Menus and clicking the ‘Screen Options’ tab at the top right. Then, simply check the box next to ‘Title Attribute’. For block themes, this field is visible by default in the Full Site Editor.

4. What is the difference between the Navigation Label and the Title Attribute?

The Navigation Label is the visible text of the menu item that users click on (e.g., ‘Blog’, ‘About Us’). The Title Attribute is the extra text that appears in a tooltip on hover and is not visible otherwise. It should provide additional information, not just repeat the label.

5. Should I add a title attribute to every menu item?

It’s not strictly necessary for every single item, especially if the navigation label is already very clear. You should add a title attribute when it can provide useful additional context that the label alone doesn’t convey. For example, for a ‘Contact’ label, the title attribute could be ‘Get in touch or find our address.’

Expert Guides for Customizing WordPress Navigation Menus

We hope this tutorial helped you learn how to add a title attribute in WordPress navigation menus. You may also want to see some other articles related to customizing the WordPress navigation menu:

• How to Add a Navigation Menu in WordPress (Beginner’s Guide)
• How to Add Custom Navigation Menus in WordPress Themes
• How to Add Titles in WordPress Menu Without Linking to a Page
• How to Add Specific Posts to WordPress Navigation Menu
• How to Add Topics in WordPress Navigation Menus
• How to Style WordPress Navigation Menus
• How to Add a Mega Menu on Your WordPress Site (Step by Step)
• How to Create a Mobile-Ready Responsive WordPress Menu

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