The <strong> tag in HTML is used to indicate strong importance or seriousness in the text it wraps. Unlike simple styling tags, <strong> adds semantic meaning by telling browsers and assistive technologies (like screen readers) that the content inside is important.
📌 What Is the <strong> Tag?
- It is an inline semantic element that signals strong emphasis.
- By default, browsers render
<strong>text in bold. - Important for accessibility and SEO because it highlights key information.
✅ Basic Syntax
<p>Please read the <strong>terms and conditions</strong> carefully.</p>
This renders the phrase terms and conditions in bold and signals importance.
🧪 Example 1: Highlighting Warning Text
<p><strong>Warning:</strong> Do not share your password with anyone.</p>
🧪 Example 2: Emphasizing Key Points
<p>Your order will be shipped within <strong>3-5 business days</strong>.</p>
🎨 Styling <strong>
Though browsers default to bold styling, you can customize <strong> via CSS:
strong {
color: red;
font-weight: bolder;
}
⚙️ Accessibility and SEO Benefits
- Screen readers typically read
<strong>content with a stronger voice or tone. - Search engines may weigh
<strong>text as more important content.
🔁 <strong> vs Similar Tags
| Tag | Purpose |
|---|---|
<strong> | Strong importance (semantic emphasis) |
<b> | Bold text only (no semantic meaning) |
<em> | Emphasized text (usually italics) |
<mark> | Highlighted text for reference or search |
⚠️ Best Practices
- Use
<strong>only when the text truly needs strong importance. - Don’t overuse it to avoid losing emphasis.
- Avoid using
<b>purely for styling — use CSS or semantic tags instead.
🏁 Summary
The <strong> tag is a semantic way to mark important text in your content. It helps both users and machines understand what information is critical.