Avoid surprising visitors with automatically playing audio

What to change

Ask for media to start deliberately where possible and provide an obvious, effective control for any automatically playing sound that remains.

A worked example

Illustrative example

A visitor chooses Play on an introductory clip when ready, while the rest of the page remains quiet and available for reading first.

How to check the result

Accept when audio behaviour is predictable and the visitor can immediately control any sound the page initiates.

A mistake to avoid

Muting one visible video does not help if another hidden embed or background component continues producing sound elsewhere.

Your action checklist

Use these checks to prepare a discussion with your team or supplier. Tick a check when you have recorded the decision or evidence, rather than when a feature has simply been promised.

Decisions to recordLoad the page in a fresh session and listen before interacting. Check videos, audio clips and third-party embeds for unexpected sound.If automatic sound is retained, locate and operate its stop or volume control using a keyboard. Ask the supplier to demonstrate its visibility at high zoom.Navigate away, return and reopen any media panel. Confirm sound does not restart unexpectedly or continue from a hidden player.

Evidence, open questions and decisionsNext action and responsible role

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