What is <strong>?
<strong> is an HTML tag used to highlight the importance, seriousness, or urgency of any piece of text. Any word or phrase you put inside it will typically be written in bold. For example, ‘<p><b>Always warm up</b> before doing any strenuous physical activity.</p>’ will be displayed as ‘Always warm up before doing any strenuous physical activity.’
If you want to learn more about the concept, check out the FAQ section below:
Do all browsers support the <strong> tag?
All popular modern desktop and mobile web browsers can correctly process the <strong> tag.
See the complete list of compatible browsers below:
- Google Chrome
- Microsoft Edge
- Mozilla Firefox
- Safari
- Opera
- WebView Android
- Firefox for Android
- Chrome Android
- Opera Android
- Samsung Internet
- Safari on iOS
Can I use the <strong> and <b> tags interchangeably?
While the <strong> tag does cause whatever text you put inside it to be displayed in bold font, it does not mean you can (and should) use it as a substitute for the <b> tag. The visual result is completely the same, but these tags each fulfill completely different roles.
As we have seen earlier, the <strong> tag is used to indicate seriousness, urgency, or importance, as in:
- Do not, under any circumstances, challenge him to a fight. He is highly skilled and extremely dangerous.
- Always remember: if you can’t buy it twice, you can’t afford it.
- Whatever you do, do not ask her about her ex-boyfriend.
The <b> tag, on the other hand, is used when you simply want to draw attention to a specific word or phrase without indicating seriousness, urgency, or importance.
Examples would be:
- I am currently using a Samsung Note 10, but I’m thinking of getting the new Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 3.
- The M1 MacBook Pro is significantly more powerful and energy-efficient than its Intel counterpart.
- When you work with Lightning Sites, you get websites that just work.
You can also use the <b> tag to set off an article’s lead (also known as lede), as in:
A 2021 study reveals that the correct usage of <strong> and <b> tags leads to a significant increase in conversion rates.
Contrary to popular belief, the proper use of <strong> and <b> tags has, in fact, a significant positive in fact on a website’s overall conversion rate. This is based on a 2021 study conducted by…’
What is the difference between the <strong> tag and the <em> tag?
While the <strong> tag is used to highlight the importance, seriousness, or urgency of a word or phrase in a given piece of text compared to the rest of its contents, you use the <em> tag to emphasize specific words or phrases in it.
At this point you may be asking: aren’t those two things essentially the same?
Even though they sound the same, which is likely where the confusion stems from, they are actually quite different—and they look different too: the <strong> tag makes words and phrases come out in bold while the <em> tag makes them come out italicized.
Also, unlike the <strong> tag, the <em> tag practically just adds verbal stress to whatever word or phrase you put inside it, as in:
- I really love black coffee!
- There’s no way you’re doing this to me again!
- What are you talking about? This is what you and I signed up for!
Interestingly, though, you can combine both tags to further stress the importance of a word or phrase in a given piece of text, as in:
- Always look both ways before crossing the road.
- You should never touch the red button.
- Keep your account safe. Always log out when using a shared computer.