Vibe Check – The hidden accessibility issues of directional navigation for voice technology
Voice technology enables people to navigate digital content hands-free, using spoken commands instead of touch or a mouse. While this provides an intuitive and flexible way to browse, poorly structured websites that rely on directional navigation—such as “click the button on the right” or “scroll down to find the link”—can create unnecessary barriers.
Unlike sighted people, those using voice commands rely on clear labels, semantic structure, and actionable commands rather than vague spatial directions. Let’s break down why directional navigation doesn’t work well for voice technology and how designers can optimize websites for better accessibility.
A personal story – When directional navigation became a roadblock
I once tested a website using only voice commands to see how well it handled hands-free navigation. Everything seemed fine at first—until I encountered instructions like “Click the green button on the right.”
Since voice commands don’t recognize spatial positioning, saying “Click the green button” didn’t work. The system had no idea which button was being referenced. The only way forward was to manually scan the page, completely defeating the purpose of voice navigation. That’s when it became clear: directional cues don’t work for voice technology—proper labeling does.
Let’s dive into why directional navigation fails and how to fix it.
Elevate the vibe – Why directional navigation fails for voice technology
Voice commands prioritize labels over locations
People using voice navigation can say “scroll down” or “scroll up” to move through content, but they don’t use spatial cues like “click the button on the right” because voice technology doesn’t inherently recognize relative positioning.
Instead, voice navigation relies on:
Actionable commands – Saying “Click Submit” or “Open Settings” depends on elements being labeled correctly.
Landmarks and headings – Commands like “Go to Contact Information” require a proper heading structure.
Clickable targets – If a button doesn’t have a clear label, people using voice commands might not be able to interact with it at all.
When a website relies on spatial references instead of named elements, it forces people to guess where things are or rely on scanning manually, which defeats the purpose of voice navigation.
Layouts change, making spatial cues unreliable
What’s “at the bottom” in one layout might be in the middle on another device. Website layouts shift based on:
Device type (desktop, mobile, tablet, smart display)
Screen orientation (portrait vs. landscape)
Text resizing or zoom settings
Since voice navigation doesn’t rely on visual scanning, structured navigation needs to work consistently across devices—not be based on shifting visual placements.
Unclear commands increase cognitive load
People with cognitive disabilities benefit from direct and predictable instructions. If a website says, “Look for the link at the bottom,” people using voice commands have to:
Remember the instruction while navigating.
Figure out where “bottom” is based on their device.
Manually scan for an unlabeled element if voice commands don’t recognize it.
Instead of vague spatial references, designers should provide explicit, labeled actions, like:
“Go to Privacy Policy”
“Click ‘Get Started’”
“Open Account Settings”
This makes navigation predictable and lowers cognitive effort for all people.
Self-reflection – Is your website optimized for voice navigation?
Ask yourself:
Do my instructions rely on visual descriptions instead of clear labels?
Are buttons, links, and sections named correctly for voice commands?
Can someone navigate my website using only voice technology?
Have I tested my site with voice controls to check functionality?
If any of these raise concerns, it’s time to adjust your navigation approach.
Vibe in action – Best practices for voice-friendly navigation
Label clickable elements clearly
Avoid: “Click here to continue.”
Use: “Click Continue to Next Step.”
Use skip links and direct navigation options
Let people jump past menus with skip links.
Offer jump links like “Go to Contact Info” instead of relying on scrolling.
Structure content with headings and landmarks
Apply H1 → H2 → H3 structure for clarity.
Use semantic elements like <main>, <nav>, and <footer> to improve navigation.
Test with voice technology
Use Mac Voice Control, Google Assistant, or Windows Speech Recognition to check if commands like “Click ‘Learn More’” or “Go to Reviews” work properly.
Vibing out
Directional navigation assumes a visual-based experience, which doesn’t align with how people using voice commands browse. Instead of relying on spatial references, designers should focus on structured navigation, clear labels, and action-based commands to ensure voice navigation works effortlessly.
By eliminating location-based instructions and prioritizing semantic navigation, we can create a more accessible, intuitive, and inclusive web experience for all—whether they use voice commands, screen readers, or traditional input methods.
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