AUX For Content Creators

Tips for Writing Accessible Web Copy

As a content creator, you have a direct impact on the accessibility of a website. Follow these three tips to address the most common content-related accessibility issues on Texas A&M websites.

Write Accessible Link Text

This means you should hyperlink the words in a sentence that reveal where a user will go if they click the link without having to read the surrounding text. For example, links that say “click here,” “this link,” etc. are not accessible. Instead, link words that tell the user what to expect if they click it: “Open the Freshman Application,” “View the 2024 Course Catalog,” etc.

Use Headings to Separate Content

Web content is better and more accessible when it’s skimmable! Use headings to help users know what they want to read — and what they don’t. Headings should be plain language (read: not clickbait) and make it clear what content is beneath them.

Also please note that headings must be ordered; this is important for accessibility. All pages start with an H1 heading (the big heading at the top of the page). And subheadings below that should be H2s. If a section of content needs subheads within it, simply go down one heading level. Think of going up and down heading levels the same way you would indent a page outline.

Using Bold, Italics and Underlines

Using different formatting options, such as bold, italics and underlining, is often used as a way to draw attention to a word or phrase. On the web, use bold and italics sparingly to emphasize a point. Never use underlining as a method to emphasize text; it often confuses people because underlines typically indicate a word is linked.