Accessibility

Definition

Accessibility in SEO refers to the practice of making a website’s content easily accessible by search engine crawlers as well as to all users, including those with disabilities or using assistive technologies. It focuses on designing and optimizing web pages so they cater to the widest range of users, devices, and browsers possible.

Accessibility Relevance For SEO

Improving accessibility increases the usability of a website, allowing search engines to properly crawl, understand, and index its content. When content is fully accessible, it improves user experience and engagement, which are key factors that search engines consider when ranking websites. Additionally, because accessibility practices often include the use of relevant keywords, descriptive media file names, and alternative text for images, implementing them can boost a site’s SEO performance.

Furthermore, accessible websites comply with legal requirements and standards set by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), which can prevent potential lawsuits and improve a site’s reputation, leading to increased traffic and higher search rankings.

Accessibility Best Practices for SEO

• Use Semantic HTML: Semantic HTML provides context and meaning to the content, aiding search engines in understanding and indexing it. Elements like <header>, <footer>, <nav>, and <article> should be utilized appropriately.
• Provide Alt Text for Images: Alt text describes the content of images to search engines and to users who cannot see them. It should be relevant and contain keywords naturally.
• Ensure Keyboard Navigability: All functions of the website should be accessible via the keyboard, which aids users with mobility impairments and helps search engines efficiently crawl the site.
• Use Descriptive Link Texts: Clickable links should have descriptive texts that accurately represent the content of the linked page. This improves user experience and helps search engines understand the context of the link.
• Make Content Readable and Understandable: The content should be clear, concise, and written in plain language. This includes creating good titles and meta descriptions, and organizing content with headings.