HTML Knowledge Base Index Markup: Topics and Article Summaries

A knowledge-base index helps visitors choose the right article. Group topics into understandable categories with descriptive links.

What You Need to Know

Use nav when the collection primarily helps visitors navigate. Give the index a clear title so it can be found by both visual and assistive-technology users.

The goal is not to collect as many tags as possible. Pick the element that best describes what the content really is.

Example: See It in Action

This example keeps the idea small. Copy it carefully, then follow the explanation instead of guessing what the browser will do.

This is a short HTML fragment. To try it as a webpage, put it inside the body element of a complete HTML document.

<main>
    <h1>Help Center</h1>
    <nav aria-label="Help topics">
        <ul>
            <li><a href="accounts.html">Accounts</a>
            </li>
            <li><a href="billing.html">Billing</a>
            </li>
        </ul>
    </nav>
</main>

Let’s Understand the Example

• Main identifies the central content of the page; it should not be duplicated as separate visible main landmarks.
• An h1 introduces the main subject of the page. Use the heading level for structure rather than font size.
• Nav identifies a major collection of navigation links.
• Aria-label supplies an accessible name when a visible label is unavailable or inadequate.
• Href contains the destination of a link. A value starting with # points to an id on the same page.

The first example link points to accounts.html. Check whether that destination exists relative to the document. A link changes where readers go; it does not perform an action such as saving a form.

What Should You See?

The page should display “Help Center” as a heading, followed by its related content. Change the heading text and refresh the browser to see the result.

Read only the headings, from top to bottom. Do they tell a sensible story? If not, move sections or choose levels that match the content.

Try It Yourself

1. Add a Troubleshooting topic that links to a specific guide.
2. Save your changes, open or refresh the page, and compare the result with the original example.
3. Tell a friend what your change did. If you are not sure, undo it, refresh the page, and compare.

Common Beginner Mistakes

• Using dozens of identical Read article labels.
• Avoid picking tags just for their default bold, italic or spaced appearance. Use CSS for presentation.

Key Takeaways

• A knowledge-base index helps visitors choose the right article.
• Main identifies the central content of the page; it should not be duplicated as separate visible main landmarks.
• Use nav when the collection primarily helps visitors navigate. Give the index a clear title so it can be found by both visual and assistive-technology users.