Status message
This term is defined by more than one standard, and the wording differs. Each definition below is the one that applies to that standard’s criteria.
Definition in RAWeb 1.1
A status message informs the user of a content change on the page without interrupting their main activity (there is no change of context, for example a shift of focus to the message).
A status message can inform about
- The success or result of an action;
- The busy state of an application;
- The progress of a process;
- The existence of an error.
Definition in RAAM 1.1
A status message informs the user of a change in content on the screen without interrupting their main activity (there is no change of context, such as repositioning the focus on the message).
A status message can inform about
- The success or result of an action;
- The busy state of an application;
- The progress of a process;
- The existence of an error.
A status message is not necessarily visible on the screen, but it must always be accessible to assistive technologies.
Definition in WCAG 2.2
change in content that is not a change of context (opens in a new tab), and that provides information to the user on the success or results of an action, on the waiting state of an application, on the progress of a process (opens in a new tab), or on the existence of errors
Source: WCAG 2.2 definition of “status message” (opens in a new tab) (W3C)