Semantic tags in HTML

• Semantic HTML tags provide meaning to the web content they enclose, making it clear what role the content plays in the overall structure of the webpage. Unlike non-semantic tags like `<div>` and `<span>`, which primarily serve for styling purposes without conveying any information about the content, semantic tags clearly describe both to the browser and the developer the type of information they contain. This enhances web accessibility, especially for screen readers and search engines, and improves the site's SEO (Search Engine Optimization).

Common Semantic HTML Tags:

• <header>: Defines a header for a document or a section. It typically contains introductory content, navigation links, or logos.

• <footer>: Specifies a footer for a document or section. It often contains copyright information, contact details, or relevant links.

• <nav>: Designates navigation links. This tag is used to group together major navigational blocks on a site, such as menus or tables of contents.

• <article>: Indicates a self-contained composition in a document, page, application, or site, which is intended to be independently distributable or reusable (e.g., in syndication). Examples include a forum post, a magazine or newspaper article, or a blog entry.

• <section>: Represents a generic section of a document or application. A section should be a thematic grouping of content, typically with a heading.

• <aside>: Denotes content that is tangentially related to the content around the `<aside>` element. It can be considered as a sidebar or call-out box.

• <main>: Specifies the main content of a document. The content inside the `<main>` tag should be unique to the document. It excludes content that is repeated across documents such as navigation links, footers, and sidebars.

• <figure> and <figcaption>: The `<figure>` tag specifies self-contained content, like illustrations, diagrams, photos, code listings, etc., potentially with a caption (`<figcaption>`) that describes it.

Benefits of Using Semantic Tags:

• Accessibility: Semantic markup helps assistive technologies, like screen readers, understand the structure and navigate the content more effectively, improving the experience for users with disabilities.

• SEO: Search engines use semantic tags to understand the context and significance of web pages. Proper use of these tags can contribute to a website's SEO, making the content more discoverable.

• Maintainability: Semantic HTML makes it easier for developers to read and understand the structure of a website's code, which can simplify maintenance and updates.

• Interoperability: By adhering to semantic standards, web content is more likely to be consistently represented across different browsers and devices.

• Using semantic tags is a best practice in web development, as it leads to cleaner, more readable HTML that benefits both developers and end-users by making web content more accessible and discoverable.