Understanding Hidden Elements
By default, accessibility scanners may flag every element on a page, including those not currently visible to the user. This can lead to "false positives"—errors that don't actually impact the user experience because the element is hidden from both sighted users and screen readers.
When this switch is enabled, the scanner will automatically bypass elements that are intentionally hidden from the accessibility tree.
What counts as a "Hidden Element"?
The scanner looks for specific technical markers to determine if an element should be ignored. These include:
- display: none;: Removes element from layout and accessibility tree.
- visibility: hidden;: Invisible to users and screen readers, but keeps layout space.
- aria-hidden="true": Hides element from assistive tech only; remains visually visible.
- hidden attribute: Native HTML attribute that hides elements visually and from screen readers.
- <input type="hidden">: Stores data without user interaction or visual presence.
- Inert attribute: Disables interaction and hides sections from screen readers/keyboards.
Why use this feature?
Clean Reports: Focus only on the issues that affect your active users.
Reduced Noise: Prevent your report from being cluttered with hundreds of "Contrast" or "Alt Text" errors for elements that aren't visible on the screen (such as hidden mobile menus or tracking pixels).
Disabling Flagging for Hidden Elements with HTML Tags
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Navigate to the Websites tab in EqualGround.
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Click Actions > View Website.
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In the side menu bar, select Configuration and scroll down to HTML Tag Exclusions. Click on Add Tags.
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Select Add Tag.
- Input your HTML Tag and Attribute. Copy and paste your preferred technical marker into the Value field.
Note: For more information, refer to the "What counts as a "Hidden Element?" section. - Click Save to complete the process.
Disabling Hidden Elements by Toggling Ignore Hidden Elements
Follow these steps if you would like scans to ignore hidden elements without adding HTML tags.
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Navigate to the Websites tab in EqualGround.
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Click Actions > View Website.
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In the side menu bar, select Configuration and scroll down to HTML Tag Exclusions. Click on Add Tags.
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Toggle the Ignore Hidden Elements button to enable the feature. Click Save to complete the process.