This presentation by Mandy Michael, a Staff Software Engineer and Google Developer Expert, makes a compelling case for using HTML meaningfully to improve web performance and accessibility, arguing that these concerns should be addressed from the foundational HTML stage, not left until the end of development. The core message is that HTML elements should be chosen based on the content type—similar to using types in TypeScript—rather than relying excessively on generic div elements, because correct semantic HTML creates a crucial Document Object Model (DOM) and Accessibility Tree that is consumed by assistive technologies and search engines. Michael provides practical HTML tips, such as favoring native element functionality (like using <button> instead of a styled <div>) for built-in features and using attributes like fetchpriority, loading="lazy", and resource hints (preload, preconnect) to effectively optimize resource loading and improve performance metrics like Cumulative Layout Shift (CLS) and Largest Contentful Paint (LCP).

https://youtu.be/zA4QzRGIP_w?list=TLGGh5u1cryB-zYwNzEwMjAyNQ