Provide a skip link to bypass repetitive navigation
Accessibility isn’t only about avoiding violations — it’s about ensuring your product can be used confidently by everyone. This guide explains the principle of this rule, shows what goes wrong in real-world code, and provides a verified fix that meets WCAG and the European Accessibility Act (EAA).
Why this matters and how to fix it
Why this matters
Screen reader and keyboard users shouldn’t have to tab through navigation menus on every page before reaching the main content. Skip links provide a faster, more efficient experience.
How to fix this issue
Add a 'Skip to main content' link at the top of the page that moves focus to the main content area.
Developer guidance
Make the skip link visible when focused using CSS. Ensure it targets a valid landmark (`<main>` or `#content`).
Code examples
Incorrect Implementation
<body><nav>...</nav><main>...</main></body>Correct Implementation
<a href='#main' class='skip-link'>Skip to main content</a><main id='main'>...</main>
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