BFSG and SEO: How the Accessibility Strengthening Act improves your rankings

that Accessibility Strengthening Act (BFSG) It comes into force on June 28, 2025 and will fundamentally change the digital landscape. While many companies regard the law as a chore, they overlook a crucial opportunity: Accessibility is the new SEO game changer.

This comprehensive guide shows you how to use the BFSG not only for compliance, but also as a strategic lever for better rankings, higher conversion rates and sustainable online success.

What is the Accessibility Strengthening Act (BFSG)?

The BFSG is the German implementation of the European Accessibility Act and obliges companies to digital accessibility. Affected are:

• e-commerce sites of all sizes
• financial service provider and online banking
• telecommunications provider
• digital services in the B2C sector

The requirements are based on Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG 2.1) and the European standard EN 301 549.

Why BFSG + SEO = formula for success?

Accessibility and search engine optimization share the same goal: optimal user experience. What screen readers understand, Google crawlers also understand better. The result? Significantly improved rankings and expanded audience reach.

The direct SEO benefits of BFSG

1. Revolutionized content structure for better rankings

Alt texts as an SEO boosterAccording to BFSG, every image requires descriptive alt text. These texts:

• Are fully indexed by Google
• Improve image search rankings by up to 300%
• Create additional keyword relevance for long-tail terms

Semantic HTML as a ranking factorThe required HTML structure for screen readers automatically optimizes your technical SEO:

• H1-H6 hierarchies improve thematic relevance
• semantic tags (nav, main, article) increase crawling efficiency
• ARIA labels create additional indexable content

2. Technical performance optimizations

Core Web Vitals through accessibilityBFSG-compliant websites automatically meet Google's performance criteria:

• Faster load times through optimized code structure
• Better mobile user experience through responsive design requirements
• Reduced bounce rate through intuitive navigation

Professional level internal linkingAccessible navigation requires:

• Logical link structures for better PageRank distribution
• Significant anchor texts for precise keyword allocation
• Breadcrumb navigation for improved site architecture

Target group expansion: More traffic, better signals

Expanded user reach = More organic traffic

Achieve barrier-free websites:

• 15% more potential users (people with disabilities)
• Older target groups with higher purchasing power
• mobile users with better conversion rates

This extended reach results in:

• Longer stays (+40% average)
• Lower bounce rates (-25% typical)
• Higher conversion rates (+15-30%)

User experience signals as ranking boosters

Google evaluates the following UX signals as ranking factors:

• Dwell Time (length of stay)
• Click-through rate from search results
• Return-to-SERP rate (return to search results)
• Brand Searches and direct access

Accessible websites perform significantly better in all areas.

Industry-specific SEO opportunities through BFSG

E-commerce: Conversion rate optimization meets SEO

Optimize product discovery

• Improved filtering features for long-tail keywords
• More detailed product descriptions for featured snippets
• Clearer categorization for better site structure

Checkout optimization

• Reduced abandonment rates through intuitive processes
• Clear error messages reduce 404 issues
• Better forms increase conversion signals

Financial services: trust through clarity

Content Strategy Revolution

• Complex financial products explained in a comprehensible way
• More extensive FAQ areas for informational keywords
• Structured tariff information for comparison search queries

Technical implementation: maximize SEO synergies

Structured data through semantic HTML

Schema.org integrationBFSG-compliant websites are predestined for rich snippets:

• Rating stars through accessible reviews
• FAQ snippets through structured question-answer areas
• How-to snippets through step-by-step instructions

Multimedia SEO through accessibility

Video SEO revolutionizes

• subtitles create indexable content
• transcripts expand keyword relevance
• Audio descriptions generate additional content

Practical example:A 10-minute explanatory video with transcript can generate over 2,000 additional indexable words and rank for 50+ new long-tail keywords.

The competitive advantage: use the first-mover advantage

Timing is everything

Since the BFSG is only mandatory from June 2025, you have now the opportunity:

• 6-12 months advantage to win ahead of competitors
• Better rankings to establish before others follow suit
• Brand Authority build up through pioneering role

Future-proofing your SEO strategy

Algorithm update resistanceAccessible websites are better equipped for:

• Google's Core Web Vitals updates
• Mobile-first indexing improvements
• AI-based ranking algorithms

Practical guide: BFSG SEO integration in 5 steps

Step 1: SEO audit with accessibility focus

• Technical analysis the current accessibility
• keyword mapping for extended target groups
• Competitor analysis With regard to accessibility SEO

Step 2: Expand content strategy

• Alt text optimization for all images
• multimedia content plan with transcripts
• FAQ areas expand for informational keywords

Step 3: Technical implementation

• semantic HTML implementing
• ARIA labels Use strategically
• structured data Prepare for rich snippets

Step 4: Performance optimization

• Core Web Vitals improve through BFSG measures
• Mobile Experience optimize for extended target groups
• Internal linking strategically revise

Step 5: Monitoring and optimization

• Accessibility tools use for continuous SEO improvement
• User Behavior Analyze the extended target group
• Rankings monitor for new keyword clusters

ROI calculation: Why BFSG SEO is worthwhile

Specific figures from practice

Average improvements after BFSG implementation:

• +35% organic traffic through an extended target group
• +25% longer stay through better UX
• +20% higher conversion rate through optimized user journey
• +40% more featured snippets through structured content

Investment vs. return:

• One-time BFSG implementation: 15,000-50,000 €
• SEO performance improvement: +200-500% ROI in 12 months

Avoid common implementation mistakes

The 5 biggest BFSG SEO traps

1. Misuse alt texts as keyword stuffing
   • ❌ Wrong: “Best SEO Agency Hamburg Top Ranking”
   • ✅ Right: “Team of SEO experts developing strategies”
2. ARIA labels exaggerate
   • Only use where semantic HTML is not enough
3. Sacrificing performance for accessibility
   • Accessibility must be implemented in a performance-optimized manner
4. Neglect mobile experience
   • 70% of users with restrictions use mobile devices
5. Ignore content quality
   • Accessible content must also be valuable in terms of content

Future trends: What comes after the BFSG?

Google's accessibility roadmap

2025-2026 expected developments:

• Accessibility score as a direct ranking factor
• Voice search optimization through screen reader compatibility
• AI-based content assessment with accessibility focus

Preparing for the next SEO evolution

Companies that are now investing in BFSG-compliant SEO are ideally positioned for:

• Voice Search Dominance (50% of all searches by 2027)
• AI content rating through semantic structure
• Multi-modal search (image, audio, text combined)

Conclusion: Using BFSG as an SEO Catalyst

The Accessibility Strengthening Act is much more than a compliance requirement — it is your chance of a sustainable SEO advantage. Companies that use BFSG strategically for their search engine optimization benefit from:

✅ Instant ranking improvements through technical optimizations
✅ Expanded audience reach and higher organic traffic
✅ Future security for upcoming algorithm updates
✅ competitive advantages through First-Mover Advantage
✅ Sustained performance improvements in all SEO KPIs

Start now with the implementation and secure yourself a decisive advantage over your competitors. The future of SEO is barrier-free — be there when it starts.