WordPress has announced that version 5.3 will feature improved coding, bringing it closer to standards-compliant HTML. While it may not achieve 100% valid HTML, this update is a significant step forward for SEO. The update is tentatively set for release on November 12, 2019. For many, this might seem late in the game, but considering WordPress’s importance in the CMS market, achieving valid HTML for numerous websites is now more attainable.
WordPress 5.3 Fixes Type Attribute Issue
The main improvement is how script and style tags are coded. Before HTML5, it was mandatory to use the "type" attribute to inform browsers about the script or style content. HTML5 removed the need for this attribute, causing HTML5 sites that continued using it to be marked as invalid HTML.
Different Levels of Validation Messages
Validation messages vary in importance—warnings are minor, while errors are more significant. The coding error in question led to a validation warning but did not trigger an error message. Likely perceived as a minor issue, the invalid code persisted in WordPress.
Official WordPress Announcement
The official WordPress announcement describes the change in version 5.3:
In HTML5, the
typeattribute is not required for the<script>and<style>tags. Including the attribute can trigger a validation warning in HTML validation tools. In WordPress 5.3, new arguments are supported for thehtml5theme feature:scriptandstyle. When these arguments are passed, thetypeattribute will not be output for those tags.
Why HTML Validation Matters
HTML has specific rules that browsers and bots initially followed closely. As developer needs grew, they sometimes bent these rules, leading to non-conforming HTML. Though search engines adapted, valid HTML remains the best way to communicate data without errors. Valid HTML aids in clear communication, which is the essence of SEO.
Type Attribute Issue is Commonly Downplayed
In the publishing and SEO community, the type attribute warning is often seen as minor. A senior member of a forum observed that the warning is more of an FYI, indicating no major repercussions. This attitude is common, as Google can usually overlook such minor issues.
Valid WordPress HTML Code is Important to SEO
Invalid code can activate "quirks mode" in browsers, where the browser attempts to render the page despite the errors. This can lead to unpredictable rendering and potential malfunctioning of web pages. Thus, maintaining valid HTML is crucial for good SEO practices, as it helps control how a webpage displays for users and bots.
WordPress 5.3 HTML Improvement is Important
Edward Lewis, an HTML and SEO expert, emphasized the significance of WordPress fixing the type attribute error, noting that it would eliminate numerous validation warnings, allowing some sites to achieve 100% validity.
WordPress Ticket Timeline
The WordPress development team has been aware of this issue for nearly two years. A relevant ticket was opened 23 months ago, with recent updates from Sergey Biryukov bringing it closer to resolution.
WordPress 5.3 Contains Many Improvements
The upcoming WordPress 5.3 update includes numerous changes beyond this fix, which will be vital for developers, publishers, and the SEO community. It’s promising to see WordPress moving towards outputting valid HTML, which will benefit both SEO and publishers alike.
Overall, WordPress 5.3’s improvements mark a positive development in the journey toward achieving more valid HTML on the web, which is a win for both publishers and SEO.
More Resources
- 6 Reasons Why Google Says Valid HTML Matters
- WordPress Proposes Plan for 61% of WP Sites Using Outdated PHP
