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HTML Accessibility For Web Developers Introduction to Accessibility What Is Accessibility?

Casey Ward
Casey Ward
2,712 Points
Posted by Casey Ward
Casey Ward
2,712 Points

Why do websites coded to accessibility standards have greater prominence on search engines?

Seems like very important information to omit.

1 Answer

Travis Alstrand
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Travis Alstrand
Treehouse Project Reviewer
Travis Alstrand
.a{fill-rule:evenodd;}techdegree seal-36
Travis Alstrand
Treehouse Project Reviewer

Great observation, and you’re absolutely right, it is important information that often gets overlooked.

Websites coded to accessibility standards tend to rank higher on search engines because accessibility and SEO go hand-in-hand.

1. Better Semantic Structure = Easier Indexing

Accessible websites use semantic HTML (like <header>, <nav>, <main>, <article>, etc.). This helps:

  • Screen readers understand content.
  • Search engine crawlers parse and prioritize content correctly, improving indexing.

2. Descriptive Alt Text = Richer Search Data

Images on accessible sites include meaningful alt attributes. That:

  • Helps screen readers describe images.
  • Gives search engines more context, which improves image search rankings.

3. Faster, Cleaner Code = Better Performance

Accessible design often emphasizes:

  • Clean code
  • Proper heading order
  • Reduced clutter which tends to improve load speed, mobile usability, and overall performance, all things Google values in rankings.

4. Improved UX = Lower Bounce Rate

Accessible sites are easier to navigate for everyone. Better user experience means:

  • Users stay longer
  • Lower bounce rates
  • Higher engagement, which search engines notice.

5. Mobile-Friendly by Nature

Many accessibility principles, like responsive design and touch-target sizing, overlap with mobile best practices, which are a key SEO factor.