Semantic HTML
Semantic HTML means choosing HTML elements for what they do, not just how they look. The page keeps its structure and built-in behavior even without CSS.
Another example
A news site builds an article with article, h1, time, figure, and nav. When CSS is off, the story still has a clear order. Assistive technology can jump to the heading or navigation.
Main parts
- 01Document structure
- 02Element semantics
- 03Native behavior
Use it when
Start with the native HTML element that matches the content and action. Add ARIA only when native HTML leaves a real gap.
Do not use it when
Do not use plain div elements to fake links, buttons, headings, or tables just because they are easy to style.
Name used in code
native HTML elements before ARIA roles Before you ship
Before release, check the page structure, keyboard access, visible focus, contrast, and zoom. Also check loading, empty, error, success, cancel, and reduced-motion states.
Outcome: Use Semantic HTML to solve this user need without losing the current context. User context: A news site builds an article with article, h1, time, figure, and nav. When CSS is off, the story still has a clear order. Assistive technology can jump to the heading or navigation. Recommended pattern: Semantic HTML. Why it fits: Start with the native HTML element that matches the content and action. Add ARIA only when native HTML leaves a real gap. Do not use it when: Do not use plain div elements to fake links, buttons, headings, or tables just because they are easy to style. Product requirements: Define the default, loading, empty, error, success, and recovery states. Keep user input. Give clear feedback after every action. Accessibility and resilience: Use semantic HTML, full keyboard access, and visible focus. Make the layout work when zoomed and support reduced motion. Follow the project’s current rules. Do not add a new UI library unless the project already uses it. Acceptance criteria: The main task works with keyboard only and at 320px width. Focus and status changes are announced. Check loading, failure, retry, cancel, and reduced-motion paths. Evidence and limits (evidence boundary): The standard covers only the listed scope. It does not choose the visual style, product decision, or Vibulary example. Unknowns to confirm: Product wording, data source, analytics events, supported devices and languages, and platform limits.
Check this request
Review the current use of Semantic HTML. Definition: Semantic HTML means choosing HTML elements for what they do, not just how they look. The page keeps its structure and built-in behavior even without CSS. Release checks: Before release, check the page structure, keyboard access, visible focus, contrast, and zoom. Also check loading, empty, error, success, cancel, and reduced-motion states. Before changing code, report the evidence you found, gaps, severity, and the smallest safe fix.