Are Accordions Bad for SEO?

When creating content for your website pages or blog, it’s important to consider how every design choice impacts your search engine optimisation (SEO). While high-quality, informative, and useful content is the foundation of good SEO, the way you present that content can also influence your rankings.

In this article, we’ll explore accordions as a method of organising page content and answer the question: are accordions bad for SEO?

What is an Accordion?

Aside from being a musical instrument, the term “accordion” in web design refers to an interactive element that expands or collapses sections of content when a title or tab is clicked. The functionality mirrors the instrument’s bellows, which expand and contract.

In most cases, accordions are used to hide content until the user interacts with them, making them a valuable tool for organising information and saving space on a webpage.

Example Use Case

Imagine a Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) section where clicking a question reveals the corresponding answer. This design keeps the page visually clean while providing users with quick access to information.

Visual Example:
Below is a mockup of how an FAQ accordion might appear:

What are typical uses of an accordion in web design?

Accordions are most commonly used for:

• FAQs: Perfect for organising commonly asked questions in a compact format.
• Product Specifications: Technical details or features that may not need to be visible upfront.
• Service Details: Additional explanations or terms and conditions for services offered.
• User Guides or Tutorials: Step-by-step instructions that users can expand as needed.

By strategically employing accordions, web designers can improve readability, improve user experience, and maintain a clean, professional-looking webpage.

Tabbed or Accordion Content: What Do Search Engines Think?

There has been much discussion about whether hidden text within web pages, such as in tabbed or accordion content, affects SEO. The good news is that as long as the content is in the HTML and accessible without further interaction (such as loading new data with JavaScript), Google can crawl and index it.

Can Google Crawl Accordion Content?

Yes, Google’s crawlers can access and index content within accordions or tabs. As long as the content is part of the HTML code and not dynamically hidden (e.g., loaded via JavaScript after a user interaction), Google considers it just as valuable as visible text.

Google has consistently confirmed that content accessible to users is also accessible to crawlers, even if it requires a click to view. Under Google’s established mobile-first indexing standard, ensuring your accordion content is mobile-friendly is essential for maintaining visibility in search results.

John Mueller, a Search Advocate at Google, has publicly stated that content hidden in tabs or accordions for usability reasons is given full weight by Google. This means tabbed content or hidden text, if visible upon interaction, does not negatively affect SEO performance.

Are Accordions Bad for SEO?

The short answer is no, accordions are not inherently bad for SEO. However, several considerations can influence their effectiveness:

User Experience (UX)

SEO isn’t just about what Google thinks, it’s about how users interact with your site. If your accordions make it difficult for users to find the information they need quickly, it could lead to a higher bounce rate. This, in turn, might signal to Google that your page isn’t meeting user needs.

Additionally, responsiveness is key. Interactive elements must react instantly to user input to satisfy Core Web Vitals metrics like Interaction to Next Paint (INP).

Tips for a Positive UX:

• Place the most important information outside of accordions.
• Use accordions only for supplementary content.
• Ensure your accordion design is intuitive and easy to use.

Content Visibility

While Google crawls accordion content, the visibility of that content to users is another matter. Placing critical information behind multiple clicks might reduce its perceived importance, potentially affecting engagement metrics like time on page.

It’s best to ensure that key product descriptions, CTAs, or other critical elements are visible immediately. Supplementary or additional information can be placed within accordions to keep web pages clean without hiding essential messages.

Mobile Usability

Given the rise in mobile usage, poorly designed accordions can frustrate mobile users. Ensure your accordions are touch-friendly and responsive to different screen sizes.

Best Practices for Using Accordions Without Hurting SEO

To ensure your use of accordions supports rather than hinders your SEO efforts, follow these best practices:

Prioritise Key Content

Ensure the most critical content is always visible without requiring interaction. Accordions should supplement your main content, not replace it. For example, a service description should be fully visible, with FAQs or detailed specifications placed in accordions.

Use Descriptive Titles

Accordion titles should clearly convey the content they contain. Not only does this help users navigate your page, but it also provides Google with context for indexing.

Test for Mobile Responsiveness

Accordions must function seamlessly on all devices. Test how they perform across various screen sizes to ensure a smooth user experience.

Avoid Overloading Pages with Accordions

Too many accordions on a single page can overwhelm users. Strike a balance between organising content and maintaining a streamlined design.

Optimise Content Inside Accordions

Treat content within accordions like any other on-page text. Use relevant keywords, include internal links, and ensure the text is engaging and valuable to readers. Even if the text is initially hidden, it can still affect SEO performance when well-optimised.

When Should You Avoid Using Accordions?

While accordions are useful, they’re not suitable for all scenarios. Avoid using them:

• For Primary Content: Important messages, CTAs (calls to action), or headlines should never be hidden in an accordion. If the content is essential to satisfying the user’s main intent, keep it visible.
• On Content-Rich Pages: Pages like blog posts or service descriptions, where users expect to scroll and read.
• If They Complicate Navigation: Overuse of accordions can lead to a disjointed user experience.

Conclusion

Accordions are a practical tool for organising content without overwhelming your webpage. They’re not inherently bad for SEO, as long as they’re used thoughtfully and align with your users’ needs.

Tabbed content or hidden text in accordions can still be crawled and indexed by search engines, and according to Google, it receives equal weight if implemented correctly. The key lies in making sure that your accordions are user-friendly, mobile-compatible, and used to present supplementary or additional information rather than essential content.

By combining an SEO-focused approach with a commitment to user experience, you can ensure that your accordion elements enhance rather than detract from your website’s performance.

If you’re unsure about whether accordions are suitable for your website, consult with a web design or SEO expert to evaluate your specific needs. Remember, the ultimate goal is to create a website that is both search engine-friendly and user-focused.