Contentonly

Contentonly is a term used across web design, publishing, and software interfaces to describe a mode or layout that presents only the essential content of a document or page, omitting peripheral chrome such as navigation menus, sidebars, banners, and controls. The idea aligns with related concepts like reader mode, distraction-free writing, content-first design, and print-friendly layouts. While not tied to a single standard, contentonly generally emphasizes delivering the core text, media, and metadata while minimizing or removing decorative or navigational elements.

In web contexts, contentonly is often used to improve readability, support printing, or enable embedding in environments where chrome cannot be displayed. Reader modes in browsers frequently implement a content-only rendering by stripping nonessential elements, leaving the article body and primary images. Content-only templates and plugins in content management systems provide a flag or switch that renders pages with only the main article content, which can be useful for syndication, clean embeds, or printable versions of a page.

Implementation varies by platform. A content-only presentation may use CSS rules that hide headers, footers, sidebars, and navigation, or it may switch to a separate stylesheet or template designed for a minimal chrome experience. In publishing and email, content-only formats focus on legibility and compact layout, sometimes at the expense of navigational features.

Considerations for contentonly include accessibility, ensuring essential landmarks remain available to assistive technologies, and maintaining necessary metadata or links when appropriate. It also involves balancing readability, performance, and the ability to reintroduce navigation or context when needed.