---
title: Skip Link Focusable Target | Accessibility Rule
description: The skip-link target should exist and be focusable
source_url:
html: https://testingbot.com/support/accessibility/web/rules/skip-link
md: https://testingbot.com/support/accessibility/web/rules/skip-link/index.md
---
# Ensure all skip links have a focusable target
Rule ID: skip-linkUser Impact: moderateGuidelines: Best Practices
The `skip-link` rule ensures that a page includes a skip navigation link at the top, allowing users to bypass repetitive navigation and jump directly to the main content.
## What is being tested?
This rule checks that:
- The page has a skip link placed near the top of the HTML, just after the `` tag.
- The skip link has a valid, focusable target (such as `#main`).
- The skip link is accessible to both keyboard and screen reader users.
## Why it matters
Screen readers and keyboard users navigate content sequentially. Without a skip link, they must tab through or listen to all navigation before reaching the main content, which can be slow and frustrating. A skip link greatly improves efficiency for blind users, low-vision users, and keyboard-only users.
## Good markup example
...main content here...
## Best practice: CSS to hide until focus
#skip a {
display: block;
position: absolute;
left: -999px;
top: -999px;
}
#skip a:focus {
left: 0;
top: 0;
padding: 3px;
background: #ffc;
border: 1px solid #990000;
}
This technique keeps the skip link visually hidden until it receives keyboard focus, making it accessible without disrupting the layout.
## Bad practices to avoid
- Using `display: none` or `visibility: hidden`, which makes the link inaccessible to all users.
- Permanently positioning the skip link off-screen without revealing it on focus.
- Failing to provide a valid target element for the skip link to jump to.
## Additional best practices
- Place the skip link as the first focusable item in the HTML.
- Use clear link text, such as `Skip to main content`.
- Consider adding skip links for other repetitive sections (like sidebars) if helpful for users.
## Other Rules
Interested in other web accessibility rules? Please see these other rules:
- [tabindex](https://testingbot.com/support/accessibility/web/rules/tabindex)
- [table-duplicate-name](https://testingbot.com/support/accessibility/web/rules/table-duplicate-name)
- [color-contrast-enhanced](https://testingbot.com/support/accessibility/web/rules/color-contrast-enhanced)
- [identical-links-same-purpose](https://testingbot.com/support/accessibility/web/rules/identical-links-same-purpose)
- [meta-refresh-no-exceptions](https://testingbot.com/support/accessibility/web/rules/meta-refresh-no-exceptions)