Skip Links Explained: Help Keyboard Users Reach the Main Content

The six points in the video

This is a silent video. The headings, explanations and labels below reproduce the information on screen.

1. 1

   Step 1: Identify the repeated block

   0:18

   Long repeated navigation can slow access to the main task.

   On-screen labels: Repeated menu; Page header; Main content.

2. 2

   Step 2: Provide an early shortcut

   0:30

   A skip link can be reached near the start of keyboard navigation.

   On-screen labels: Early keyboard position; Skip-link control; Content destination.

3. 3

   Step 3: Use a clear link label

   0:42

   Describe the destination, such as Skip to main content.

   On-screen labels: Clear wording; Known destination; Useful shortcut.

4. 4

   Step 4: Make focus visible

   0:54

   If the link is normally hidden, it must become visible when focused.

   On-screen labels: Focused link; Visible shortcut; Readable presentation.

5. 5

   Step 5: Move to the right destination

   1:06

   Activation should position the visitor at the intended content.

   On-screen labels: Correct target; Useful focus behaviour; Next meaningful action.

6. 6

   Step 6: Retest across page templates

   1:18

   Check the actual shortcut on different pages and layouts.

   On-screen labels: Keyboard test; Correct content target; Different templates.

Common questions

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