blink
The obsolete <blink> element was intended to make text flash on and off. Modern browsers do not support it, and flashing content can create serious accessibility problems.
What you will learn
- Why the
blinkelement is obsolete - Why flashing content can make pages difficult or unsafe to use
- How to add motion responsibly when motion is truly useful
Historical syntax
<!-- Old markup: do not use. -->
<blink>New message</blink>This element is not part of modern HTML and cannot be used reliably. A screen reader may not communicate the visual change, while other users may find the movement distracting or difficult to follow.
Flashing can be harmful
Rapid or large areas of flashing can trigger seizures for some people. Even slower blinking can make text hard to read, especially for people with attention, vision, or motion sensitivities. Do not use flashing as the only way to communicate important information.
If motion is necessary
Prefer a stable visual state. If an animation adds useful feedback, provide a pause or stop control and respect the user's reduced-motion preference.
@media (prefers-reduced-motion: reduce) {
.notice { animation: none; }
}