{"id":11660,"date":"2022-01-06T15:07:23","date_gmt":"2022-01-06T15:07:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/getdevdone.com\/blog\/?p=11660"},"modified":"2022-12-08T15:23:18","modified_gmt":"2022-12-08T15:23:18","slug":"difference-between-b-and-strong-your-short-guide","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/getdevdone.com\/blog\/difference-between-b-and-strong-your-short-guide.html","title":{"rendered":"What Is the Difference Between b and strong: Your Short Guide"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

A lot of people know about the existence of the tags <b> and <strong>. However, not everyone clearly understands the difference between them. If they mean the same or have the same function, isn\u2019t it easier to choose and use just one of them? In this post, we\u2019ll delve into whether <b> is the same as <strong>, what they look like, and how to use them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tags <b> and <strong>: Syntax<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

<b> and <strong> belong to the text-level semantic tags in HTML (HyperText Markup Language) coding. Both <b> and <strong> are paired tags. That means they have an opening and a closing tag between which the text is placed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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What Is the Difference Between <b> and <strong> Visually and Semantically?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

To understand the difference between these two tags, let\u2019s analyze what they look like on a page (their visual representation) and their semantics (meaning). Let\u2019s start with the definition of the tags <b> and <strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tag <b>: Definition<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The HTML tag <b> stands for \u2018bold\u2019 and makes the text within it boldface. According to the definition of the <b> element<\/a> provided by the Web Hypertext Application Technology Working Group (WHATWG), this tag represents a piece of text to which we want to draw attention without adding any extra importance or changing its mood\/voice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tag <strong>: Definition<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

As for <strong>, this tag also draws attention to the specific text within the tag. The definition in WHATWG<\/a> states that the <strong> element represents strong importance, seriousness, or urgency for its contents. In other words, the tag <strong> conveys additional meaning to the text. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Like the tag <b>, the <strong> element is displayed as bold text on the web page (unless they are styled separately via CSS or coding). However, what differentiates the <strong> tag from the tag <b> is its semantics. The <strong> tag shows web crawlers that the text is of greater importance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So, Is <b> the Same as <strong> Visually?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Tags <b> and <strong> are usually displayed in the same way optically in different browsers \u2013 in bold type. You can see the tag <b> applied to the bold text \u2018tag B\u2019 in the screenshot below.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Identically, as you can see in the image below, the text \u2018tag STRONG\u2019 with the tag <strong> is displayed in bold.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The tags <b> and <strong> are compatible with the most common browsers, such as Chrome, Android, Firefox, Opera, and Safari.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Is <b> the Same as <strong> Semantically?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Traditionally, the tags <b> and <strong> are interpreted differently. The element <b> creates the boldface without adding semantic significance to the text within it. Conversely, the tag <strong> emphasizes the importance of the text within its content.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As markup elements, <b> and <strong> convey information to web crawlers. Screen readers interpret these tags differently. For instance, when browsers read the text to users, they may change the voice to show the importance of a certain text marked with <strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

New Tendencies in Using Tags <b> and <strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

With the introduction of HTML5, the meaning of the tag <b> has changed. There is a thought<\/a> that the <b> element is also \u2018used as a stylistic offset such as keywords in a document of product names\u2019. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Likewise, some experts at SeobilityWiki<\/a> believe that the functionality of the tags <b> and <strong> has changed in the newer versions of HTML. The specialists state that these elements can be considered equivalent, and they hardly differ in their functionality and application. Thus, both <b> and <strong> tags can convey additional meaning of the text.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What Is the Difference Between <b> and <strong> for SEO?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Since the tags <b> and <strong> emphasize the content of greater significance, you can use them as an SEO tool. Use the keywords you want the page to rank for in the tags <b> and <strong>. This instructs search crawlers to pay attention to them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Officially, Matt Cutts, a representative of the Google Search Central, declares<\/a> no difference in treating tags <b> and <strong> in terms of ranking, scoring, and indexing. This was true in 2006 and 2013 when Google Search Central recorded their explanation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Yet, some specialists<\/a> have noticed changes in page rankings depending on the use of the tags. Because applying the tags to pages, monitoring their performance, changing the markup, and spotting the differences is a time-consuming process, it\u2019s hard to gather specific examples. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

There is little official evidence that the <b> and <strong> elements influence the page\u2019s rankings. So, be careful when experimenting and applying these tags to emphasize targeted keywords or phrases.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How and How Often Should You Use Tags <b> and <strong>?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Search engines look for the proper markup that helps them interpret the page structure and the importance of elements on the page. Consequently, don\u2019t use the tags <b> and <strong> to differentiate headings from paragraphs. Instead, use headings and subheadings as an essential part of the page that creates its structure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you want to emphasize the targeted keywords and phrases with the help of <b> and <strong>, remember these points<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n