Image description: Screenshot of an IKEA product page featuring the POÄNG armchair with a text box representing the correct ALT text for the product. The page shows the chair's image, color options, and an accessibility score of 96.
IKEA does digital accessibility right
Reading Time: 5 minutes
IKEA’s Swiss website stands out as an example of how a global brand can prioritize accessibility while embracing the challenges of making its digital platforms accessible to all users. This report, created by our accessibility specialists, dives into the strides IKEA has made, focusing on key areas where the company excels and where further enhancements are in progress, all within the context of the European Accessibility Act.
Homepage accessibility insights
IKEA’s homepage demonstrates a strong commitment to accessibility with a score of 89, signaling substantial alignment with key accessibility standards. Key highlights of the homepage include:
- Image accessibility: IKEA has made notable strides in ensuring all images include descriptive alternative text, enhancing the experience for visually impaired users.
- Structured navigation: Thoughtful use of ARIA roles improves navigation, creating a more seamless experience for individuals using assistive technologies.
- Clear link text: The continuous refinement of link text ensures greater clarity, particularly for screen reader users.
- Keyboard navigation: Effective keyboard navigation practices are in place, ensuring users can easily interact with content without a mouse.
- Navigational landmarks: IKEA is working towards a more defined landmark structure to streamline navigation for users with disabilities, contributing to a more intuitive experience.
Product listing page (PLP) overview
Scoring 90, IKEA’s PLP exemplifies a robust commitment to accessibility. The key aspects include:
- Enhanced visual descriptions: Visual elements are well-supported by descriptive text, addressing the needs of visually impaired users.
- Consistent navigation: Strategic ARIA roles and efficient focus management refine the navigational flow, enhancing the user experience for people with accessibility needs.
- Link text clarity: IKEA ensures all links are clearly labeled, providing transparency and improving the interface’s usability.
- Landmark clarity: While IKEA continues refining its landmark structure, this ongoing effort shows their intent to create a clear and efficient browsing experience for everyone.
Product detail page (PDP) analysis
IKEA’s PDP ranks the highest at 96, showcasing impressive efforts in accessibility. Key highlights include:
- Focused Navigation: IKEA consistently optimizes ARIA roles and focusable elements, ensuring a smooth and intuitive navigation experience.
- Structured Heading Levels: The page features a well-planned heading hierarchy, with minor adjustments needed, reflecting IKEA’s commitment to accessible content structuring.
Moving forward
IKEA’s ongoing dedication to digital accessibility is clear, with impressive scores across various sections of its website. These improvements highlight the growing importance of accessible design. Other organizations can learn from IKEA’s proactive approach by ensuring accessibility is embedded throughout their digital strategy.
The success of addressing accessibility challenges lies in a continuous commitment to improvement, understanding the evolving nature of technology and societal needs, and ensuring that all voices are heard and considered in the development process. To tackle these challenges effectively, a thorough assessment is essential to pinpoint areas where individuals may face difficulties. This involves not only adhering to established accessibility standards but also engaging with affected communities to understand their unique perspectives and needs. Once identified, deploying innovative solutions, whether that means implementing assistive technologies or redesigning existing structures, becomes crucial. The goal is to ensure that all facilities, services, and resources are usable by people of all abilities, thereby fostering an environment of equality and respect. The ongoing process of monitoring and updating accessibility measures ensures that inclusion is not a one-time effort.
The information presented in this blog post is based on publicly available data and expert analysis. The organization is featured as an industry example to illustrate accessibility efforts. IKEA is not an accessibility customer of AIOPSGROUP, a valantic company.
Read more about the accessibility services that we offer.
EAA has been effective since June 28, 2025.
