The <ins> Element
As defined in the HTML Living Standard, the <ins> element represents a range of text that has been added to a document. This is typically used in conjunction with the <del> element to show edits or updates.
The initial requirement was for level A compliance, but we have now upgraded to level AA.
<p>
The price is <del>$20</del> <ins datetime="2026-05-01">$15</ins>!
</p>
View HTML Living Standard: The ins element
Attributes for Audit Trails
cite: A URL that explains the addition (e.g., a link to the updated policy or pull request).datetime: A valid date/time string indicating when the content was added. This provides a machine-readable timeline for document changes.
WCAG Requirement: Info and Relationships
Success Criterion 1.3.1 (Level A): Information, structure, and relationships conveyed through presentation can be programmatically determined.
Accessibility Warning: Most screen readers do not announce the presence of <ins> by default. While sighted users see an underline, users of assistive technology may hear the added text as if it were always there.
Solution: If the fact that text was *added* is critical to the meaning (such as in a legal contract change), supplement the tag with text like "Added on April 13th:" or use ARIA roles like addition to notify the user.
Styling for Clarity
Browsers render inserted text with an underline by default. To distinguish this from a link, modern design patterns often use a light green background or a border.
ins {
text-decoration: none; /* Remove default underline to avoid link confusion */
background-color: #dfd; /* Light green for "added" status */
border-bottom: 1px solid #080;
}