Skip links

Vibe Check – Why skip links are needed

Navigating a website shouldn’t feel like an obstacle course—especially for people who rely on keyboard navigation or screen readers. Skip links, also known as "bypass links," offer a simple yet powerful way to improve usability and accessibility. They allow people to bypass repetitive navigation elements and jump straight to the main content.

For those navigating with a keyboard or assistive technology, moving through an extensive menu on every page can be frustrating and time-consuming. Skip links streamline the experience, ensuring that people can reach the core content without unnecessary barriers.

But how do we implement skip links effectively? Let’s break it down.

A personal story – When navigation became a barrier

I remember testing a website for accessibility and quickly realizing that every time I landed on a new page, I had to tab through an entire navigation menu before reaching the content I needed. It was frustrating and time-consuming, and I could only imagine how much worse it would be for someone relying on keyboard navigation daily.

That’s when I truly understood the importance of skip links. A simple, well-placed 'Skip to Main Content' link could have saved me—and countless others—so much unnecessary effort. Let’s break down how to implement them effectively.

Elevate the vibe – Best practices for skip links

Placing skip links where they matter

The skip link should be the first focusable element on the page. It should precede the navigation menu to give people the option to skip before encountering any repeated elements. The link should move focus directly to the main content, not just visually but programmatically.

Example:

<a href="#main-content" class="skip-link">Skip to main content</a>

Making skip links visible on focus

Skip links are often visually hidden by default but should become visible when focused. Use CSS to ensure they appear when a person tabs onto them.

Example CSS:

.skip-link {
 position: absolute;
 top: 10px;
 left: 10px;
 background: #000;
 color: #fff;
 padding: 10px;
 z-index: 100;
 text-decoration: none;
 transform: translateY(-100%);
}

.skip-link:focus {
 transform: translateY(0);
}

Ensuring proper focus handling

The destination of the skip link must receive focus to help people using assistive technology confirm the navigation change. Assign tabindex="-1" to the main content container to ensure focus moves correctly.

Example:

<main id="main-content" tabindex="-1">
 <h1>Welcome to Our Accessible Site</h1>
 <p>This is the main content area.</p>
</main>

Testing skip links for accessibility

Keyboard testing

Ensure pressing Tab on a new page highlights the skip link.

Screen reader testing

Verify that assistive technologies correctly announce the skip link and allow navigation.

Cross-browser compatibility

Some browsers handle focus differently, so test across multiple environments.

Self-reflection – Evaluating your site’s navigation

Ask yourself:

Do your pages have a skip link that allows people to bypass repetitive navigation?

Is your skip link visually hidden but easily accessible when focused?

Does the main content area receive focus when activated via the skip link?

Have you tested the functionality with a keyboard and screen reader?

Reflecting on these questions helps ensure that your site’s navigation is accessible and intuitive.

Vibe in action – The future of navigation accessibility

Expanding skip links beyond main content

Consider adding skip links to other repetitive sections, such as sidebars or footers.

Integrating voice and gesture navigation

Future-forward designs should explore voice commands and gesture-based navigation for enhanced accessibility.

Encouraging universal adoption

Accessibility guidelines recommend skip links, but many sites still overlook them. Raising awareness among designers and developers ensures wider implementation.

Vibing out

Skip links are a small yet essential detail in web accessibility. By implementing them correctly, designers and developers can significantly improve the experience for people who navigate via keyboard or assistive technology.