Skip the Struggle: A Deep Dive into Skip Links and Keyboard Accessibility

Chapter 6.6 of Web Accessibility Cookbook by Manuel focuses on an essential but often overlooked feature of accessible web design—skip links.

For keyboard and switch device users, navigating a webpage with many interactive elements can be physically exhausting. Pressing Tab repeatedly to move through navigation menus, carousels, filter panels, or large blocks of links creates unnecessary effort and can make using the web an unpleasant experience.

✅ The Solution? Skip Links.

Skip links allow users to bypass repetitive content and navigate directly to key sections of a page. In this article, we’ll take a deep dive into what skip links are, who they’re for, best practices, and how to implement them correctly with code examples.

What is a Skip Link?

A skip link (or "skip to content" link) is a hidden, keyboard-accessible link that allows users to jump past repetitive sections of a page—such as navigation menus, search bars, and carousels—directly to the main content or another critical section.

When implemented correctly, skip links become visible when focused (e.g., when users press Tab), but they remain hidden for mouse users unless needed.

They are especially helpful for screen reader and keyboard users who might otherwise have to press Tab dozens of times just to reach the main content.

Who Needs Skip Links?

Skip links improve usability for many groups of people, including:

• Keyboard-only users who rely on the Tab key for navigation.
• Screen reader users who may want to jump past large navigation menus.
• People with mobility impairments who use switch devices, sip-and-puff devices, or other assistive tech.
• Users with cognitive impairments who may struggle with repetitive elements and need quick access to main content.

Where Should Skip Links Be Used?

Skip links aren’t just for skipping navigation—they should be used anywhere large interactive sections could slow down a user’s ability to reach important content.

Here are some common use cases where skip links can improve accessibility:

1️⃣ Skipping the Main Navigation Menu

Many websites have large navigation menus with multiple dropdowns. Without a skip link, users must tab through every single menu item before reaching the main content.

💡 Solution: Add a “Skip to Content” link at the very top of the page that jumps directly to the <main> element.

2️⃣ Skipping Over Carousels

Carousels are inherently difficult to navigate for keyboard users. If a carousel has multiple interactive elements (like controls, dots, and slide links), it can be frustrating to tab through before reaching the next section.

💡 Solution: Place a “Skip Carousel” link before and after the carousel so users can bypass it going forward and backward.

3️⃣ Skipping Over Filter Panels & Sidebar Widgets

E-commerce websites often have extensive filter options. Imagine having to Tab through 30+ filter checkboxes before getting to the product listings.

💡 Solution: Add a "Skip Filters" link that jumps past the filtering panel straight to the product results.

4️⃣ Skipping Over Social Media Feeds & Widgets

Embedded Twitter feeds, Instagram galleries, and comment sections can contain dozens of interactive elements that users must tab through.

💡 Solution: Provide a "Skip Social Feed" link before such sections to allow users to move past them quickly.

Best Practices for Skip Links

To make skip links truly effective, follow these best practices:

✅ Make them keyboard-focusable.

• Skip links should be hidden by default but appear when focused.

✅ Link to actual page sections.

• Use valid IDs as link targets (e.g., #main).
• The destination should be a focusable element like <main>, headings (<h1>), or landmarks.

✅ Ensure visibility when active.

• When a skip link receives focus, it should be clearly visible.

✅ Place them at the top of the page.

• They should be the very first focusable element on the page.

✅ Use meaningful text.

• Instead of just "Skip," provide clear and helpful labels like:
  • “Skip to Main Content”
  • “Skip to Filters”
  • “Skip Past Carousel”

🖥️ How to Code a Skip Link Correctly

Here’s how to add a skip link that lets users bypass the navigation menu and jump to the <main> section.

📌 Basic Skip Link Code

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

<nav>
  <!-- Navigation menu items -->
</nav>

<main id="main-content">
  <!-- Main page content -->
</main>

🎨 CSS for Positioning the Skip Link

.skip-link {
  position: absolute;
  top: -40px; /* Hide it off-screen */
  left: 10px;
  background: #000;
  color: #fff;
  padding: 10px;
  font-size: 1rem;
  text-decoration: none;
  z-index: 1000;
}

.skip-link:focus {
  top: 10px; /* Bring it into view when focused */
}

How it works:

• The skip link stays off-screen until a user presses Tab to focus on it.
• When focused, the link moves into view so it can be activated.

🔗 More Resources on Skip Links

Want to see real-world examples of well-implemented skip links? Check out these fantastic articles:

• IKEA Skip Links – A Pleasant Surprise – A great breakdown of how IKEA implemented useful skip links.
• Skip Links Best Practices – Orange A11Y Guidelines – A comprehensive guide on implementing skip links effectively.
• WebAIM: Skip Navigation Links – Covers the importance of skip navigation links and how to implement them.
• W3Schools: Accessibility Skip Links – A beginner-friendly guide on adding and styling skip links.