It is easier to write documentation for custom events than it is for helper functions Source: learn.jquery.com Instead of focusing on the element that triggers an action, custom events put the spotlight on the element being acted upon. This brings a bevy of benefits, including: Behaviors of the target element can easily be triggered by different elements using the same code. Behaviors can be triggered across multiple, similar, target elements at once. Behaviors are more clearly associated with the target element in code, making code easier to read and maintain.