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Ensure headings are clear and descriptive

Descriptive headings help users predict what each section contains. Most readers scan websites rather than read them word-by-word. Descriptive headings help users identify content relevant to their needs and understand relationships between content on a page. Users with a screen reader, in particular, browse the headings of a page to orient themselves within the Web page.

Properly nest all headings in descending order

Headings help organize and structure your page for users of assistive technology. Like Russian Matryoshka dolls, headings range from H1 (the largest) to H6 (the smallest). Nesting subheadings in a parent heading helps communicate how the information fits together.

• On the Web Publishing platform, the page title is considered a H1 heading, so the first heading created for the page should be a H2.
• When nesting headings, remember not to skip levels when creating sub-sections. For example, a H2 heading can be followed by a H3 but not a H4.
• Don’t use the heading format solely for aesthetic purposes. To call out an important point, consider making that sentence bold.

Use descriptive text when sharing links; avoid “click here” or “read more”

• Screen readers are unable to provide context to a link beyond the linked text — which means multiple “click here” links on a page all appear to be the same.
• When linking a file, provide the file type and size as part of the linked text. For example, NYU Identity Style Guide (PDF: 367 KB).

Set the language of your web publishing site

The default language setting for NYU Web Publishing is US English. If your website is in another language, the language must be updated. The language can be updated from the Settings > General on your NYU Web Publishing dashboard.