#  Make FAQ Pages Easy to Scan 

 



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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) are one of the most common content types on HarvardSites. But if they’re just a list of questions in plain text, they can be hard to read, hard to scan, and difficult to navigate with assistive technology. This guide helps you build FAQs that are clear, structured, and accessible.



 

##  Why it matters 

 



 

**Findability:** Users visit FAQ pages to get quick answers. Clear formatting helps them scan and locate what they need.

**Accessibility:** Accordion and FAQ List components provide semantic structure that supports keyboard and screen reader navigation.

**Editor clarity:** Using structured components reduces formatting work and makes FAQs easier to maintain over time.



 



      ![Illustration of simple document outlines with structured headings, bullet points, and consistent spacing.](/sites/g/files/omnuum631/files/styles/hwp_1_1__480x480/public/2025-12/images_content_1.png?itok=jXvnK3cd) 

 

 

  

 



 

 

 

##  How to do it 

- **Choose the right component.**
    
    Use the **FAQ List** for short questions with simple answers.
    
    Use the **Accordion** if answers are longer or need formatting (like lists, links, or bold text).
    
    Avoid using just paragraph and heading styles to format an FAQ manually.
- **Write clear, scannable questions.**
    
    Use plain language that reflects how users would ask.
    
    Keep question text short, and avoid combining multiple topics into one.
- **Keep answers focused and structured.**
    
    Begin your answer by directly answering the question.
    
    Use bullets, short paragraphs, or links when needed.
    
    If answers are getting too long, consider breaking the content into separate pages or sections.



 

##  Accessibility tips 

- Every question should be a real heading in the markup. The FAQ List and Accordion components handle this automatically.
- If the list is long, break it up with headings or use Section Headings in the components to group related questions.
- Avoid embedding videos or images directly inside Accordions, since collapsed content may be harder to find with assistive tech.



 

##  Resources 

- [HarvardSites Component: Accordion](/accordion_OLD "Accordion")
- [W3C: Accordion Accessibility Patterns](https://www.w3.org/WAI/ARIA/apg/patterns/accordion/)
- [PlainLanguage.gov: Writing FAQs](https://digital.gov/guides/plain-language/writing/special-cases)



 

 



 

 See also:- [ Accessibility ](/how-guides-topics/accessibility)
- [ Content Clarity ](/how-guides-topics/content-clarity)
- [ How-To Guides ](/page-categories/how-guides)