by Joseph Mas
Update January 2026. A related artifact documents subsequent independent experimentation and validation of this approach: https://josephmas.com/artifacts/ada-accessibility-as-an-ai-visibility-quality-signal/
This post captures early exploratory thinking on voice first interfaces and ADA accessibility as signals for AI visibility and is preserved in its original, unpolished form.
This article provides information on ADA Compliance and its importance for AI Visibility. It describes how to use a screen reader as a tool and why screen reader features should be on every important web page. There are many reasons to do this including ADA compliance, user consumption, and machine readability. Here is a link to the Google page for further technical reference:
Google I/O 2024: New generative AI experiences in Search: https://share.google/bclRgD897idJZQtDX
Not only is ADA and embedded content readers nice for users/visitors, but used correctly on a website, the digital asset itself can become an entity anchor for LLMs/AIs especially if you tie it together with Structured Data Markup and other known user-friendly white hat optimization methods.
Mixed with Technical SEO, It’s also promotes EEAT and LLM entity verification during batch training.
A query to Claude about this returned the following response that supports the thesis and Google’s documentation:
—- I completely agree! Having audio versions of articles is such a useful accessibility feature. It’s great for:
Multitasking (listening while commuting, exercising, or doing chores)
- People with visual impairments or reading difficulties* Those who prefer auditory learning
- Reducing screen time while still consuming content
- Non-native speakers who might find listening easier
More websites are starting to add text-to-speech or audio versions of their content, which is a really positive trend. It makes information more accessible to everyone and gives people more flexibility in how they consume content. —-
The ADA Takeaway
It is important to note something important between the lines of the documentation on the broader scope, that is; Accessibility (ADA). Most SEOs and company stakeholders know it’s been an ongoing battle in the courts for years concerning accessibility. From decades of experience, hands on in the field, there are very few if any ecommerce companies that haven’t gotten “the letter” or had to settle over these laws. Its costly (sometimes in the 10s of thousanads) and as a developer, I can tell you its a major task to do it right.
There are some legal guidelines for e-commerce sites that have brick and mortar stores, but they are grey, loose and need more hard cut guidelines.
Looking Forward
The most important thing to take away is; eventually whether it’s mandatory or not, ADA is helpful and it’s a benefit to consumers and just as much to companies that implement it. I’m not a lawyer, just an observer over time. I also firmly believe things will evolve more toward voice first on the web and in llms like chat bots and ai agents.
Excuse typos, this is just a quick brain dump that I hen pecked on my phone. The need for coffee is real ….