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Accessibility
What is a skip link and what is it for?
A skip link is usually the very first link on a page and leads straight to the main content. It saves keyboard users from having to tab through the entire menu on every page load: with a navigation that has many entries, that's dozens of keypresses before the actual content begins — anew on every single subpage. WCAG criterion 2.4.1 requires such a shortcut.
How a skip link works
The skip link sits as the first focusable element in the source code and carries a text such as "Skip to content". It stays invisible to mouse users; only when the Tab key reaches it does it become visible. Pressing Enter moves focus past the header and menu, straight to the start of the main content. Screen readers benefit twice over: they don't have to read out the same navigation again on every page. A recognised alternative technique is landmark regions in the source code, especially a marked-up main landmark — many screen readers can jump straight to regions. The classic skip link also helps sighted keyboard users with no screen reader, on top of that.
How the audit service checks the skip link
The audit service examines the first three focusable elements on the page: if one of them carries skip-link text such as "to content", the criterion counts as passed — genuine evidence. If the skip link is missing but the main content is marked up as a main landmark in the source code, the alternative technique is plausible; the report notes this as a manual check case, since whether the landmark structure really carries the weight is decided by a human. If both are missing, the criterion counts as violated. This way, the report clearly distinguishes between a demonstrated shortcut, a plausible alternative, and a real gap.
- Press the Tab key once on your homepage — if a "Skip to content" link appears, the shortcut is there.
- Ask your agency to build the skip link in as the first focusable element and only show it on focus.
- Additionally have the main content marked up as a main landmark in the source code — screen readers can jump straight to regions.
- Check that the jump target is correct: after jumping, the next Tab press must land in the main content, not back in the menu.
FAQ
What is a skip link on a website?
A skip link is a usually invisible link right at the start of the page, with a text such as "Skip to content". It appears as soon as the Tab key reaches it, and pressing Enter moves focus straight past the menu and header. This saves keyboard users dozens of keypresses through the same navigation on every page.
Why can't I see the skip link on my website?
That's intentional: the skip link usually only becomes visible once it receives focus via the Tab key. Mouse users don't need it and shouldn't be distracted by it. You can still test it easily, though — open the page, press the Tab key once. If a link to the content appears top-left, the shortcut works.
Is a main landmark region in the source code enough instead of a skip link?
It's a recognised alternative technique, but it has a gap: landmark regions only help screen reader users who can jump to regions. Sighted keyboard users with no screen reader get nothing. Our audit report therefore treats the main landmark as a plausible case that needs manual confirmation — the classic skip link, by contrast, as genuine evidence.