This translation has not been editorially reviewed yet. The German version is authoritative. Deutsche Fassung →
Decline on the first level: visible right away, not hidden
On the first level of the consent banner, a way to decline must be reachable — not hidden behind "Settings" or "Learn more". The check reads the labels of the first-level buttons and looks for whether one of them is a decline option.
- The common pattern is a large "Accept all" next to an inconspicuous "Settings", behind which the decline option hides. The extra effort is deliberate — and that's exactly why this is its own check point.
- The check assesses reachability, not design: whether the decline button is the same size and equally prominent can't be conclusively judged by machine. What it establishes is whether it's present on the first level at all.
FAQ
How does the check recognise a decline button?
By the labels of the buttons on the first banner level. Common wordings are recognised; an unusual label can mean the check doesn't find it — in that case, the report states this, and it needs to be checked manually.
Does Decline have to look the same as Accept?
The check doesn't judge the design question — that can't be reliably decided by machine. What's checked is reachability with no extra step.