IBM.com Web Standards

IBM web standards ensure design excellence along with technical and legal compliance.

With over 20 million pages on IBM’s domain, governance and adherence to standards are paramount. The checklist herein provides access to more detailed mandatory standards for design and development as well as guidelines to help ensure the highest possible quality objectives are followed.

 End-of-support for v18/v19a

Please be aware that the v18/v19 design system has reached end-of-support and is targeted to be sunset at the end of 2023. Carbon for IBM.com based on the Carbon Design System is its official replacement.
Learn more about Carbon for IBM.com
Web standards Page layout & design
The page layout and design standards apply to all external facing IBM webpages to ensure consistency and adhere to the IBM brand.
Information Architecture
IBM has a standardized navigation and URL structure to support and improve discoverability across our site. [IBM W3 ID needed]
Domain names & co-branding
Anyone involved in acquiring, managing or divesting such assets or delegating the acquisition, management and divestiture of these assets must ensure compliance with the standard. [IBM W3 ID needed]
External URL naming policy
This standard applies to the URL naming for all external IBM web sites and applications. Its purpose is to define the rules which apply when creating an external URL as part of IBM's corporate web site, ibm.com and registering a domain. [IBM W3 ID needed]
Browser standards
The official list of browser type, level and devices for which all IBM Web applications should support.
SEO standards
These standards are required for externally-facing pages so that as content publishers clearly inform search engines how we want our website content indexed.
Additional standards for consideration Accessibility
IBM accessibility requirements empower your diverse user base by creating accessible products.
Contact module
The Contact Module gives users a variety of ways to contact IBM using features like Let’s Talk, Schedule a Consult, or email.
Content & authoring
IBM content should provide clear and compelling messaging and should be error free.
IBM Design Language
Carbon for IBM.com is the design system for the IBM web pages providing components, resources and guidelines for everyone creating IBM.com pages.
Privacy
At IBM trust is foundational to all we do, and we are committed to protecting the privacy and confidentiality of your personal information.
Social Media
Customers, prospects and IBMers equate the expertise we share on social with the integrity and focus of the IBM brand.
Resources Join conversation on #aem-sites-support IBM.com All Hands IBM.com Ask Me Anything Join conversation on #carbon-for-ibm-dotcom Carbon for IBM.com Design Office Hours Carbon for IBM.com Engineering Office Hours
Inquiries

Web standards are reviewed and updated as needed annually. For inquiries about a standard or guideline, please reach out to each Standard Sponsor (named at the bottom of each page) or to Matilda Tanascov for general inquiries.