Alt Text: The Overlooked Key to Accessibility and SEO.
Alt Text: The Overlooked Key to Accessibility and SEO.
Alt Text: The Overlooked Key to Accessibility and SEO.
Alt Text: The Overlooked Key to Accessibility and SEO.
Alt Text: The Overlooked Key to Accessibility and SEO.
Alt Text
Alt Text
Alt Text
Alt Text
Alt Text
Alt text in web page code describes an image's appearance or function. If a picture can't be loaded, it can be shown instead, read by a screen reader for the blind, or used by search engines.
Alt text in web page code describes an image's appearance or function. If a picture can't be loaded, it can be shown instead, read by a screen reader for the blind, or used by search engines.
Alt text in web page code describes an image's appearance or function. If a picture can't be loaded, it can be shown instead, read by a screen reader for the blind, or used by search engines.
Alt text in web page code describes an image's appearance or function. If a picture can't be loaded, it can be shown instead, read by a screen reader for the blind, or used by search engines.
Table of Content
Proper Alt Text Ensures Equal Usability & Enhances UX.
4.9/5 Ratings!
4.9/5 Ratings!
Anirudh H.
Anirudh H.
Anirudh H.
6 Min Read
6 Min Read
6 Min Read
OCT 03, 2025
OCT 03, 2025
OCT 03, 2025
What is Alt Text?
What is Alt Text?
What is Alt Text?
Alt text, sometimes called an alt tag or alt description, is a short text that tells what is in an image. The main reason for alt text is to help people who cannot see. It lets screen readers say what is in the image so people can know. Alt text also helps search engines know about the image. This can make your images show up better in search results.
When an image does not load, the browser will show the alt text. This text tells people what should be in the image. If there is no alt text, people miss out on important stuff. This makes the website less user-friendly and harder for many to use.
Alt text, sometimes called an alt tag or alt description, is a short text that tells what is in an image. The main reason for alt text is to help people who cannot see. It lets screen readers say what is in the image so people can know. Alt text also helps search engines know about the image. This can make your images show up better in search results.
When an image does not load, the browser will show the alt text. This text tells people what should be in the image. If there is no alt text, people miss out on important stuff. This makes the website less user-friendly and harder for many to use.
Alt text, sometimes called an alt tag or alt description, is a short text that tells what is in an image. The main reason for alt text is to help people who cannot see. It lets screen readers say what is in the image so people can know. Alt text also helps search engines know about the image. This can make your images show up better in search results.
When an image does not load, the browser will show the alt text. This text tells people what should be in the image. If there is no alt text, people miss out on important stuff. This makes the website less user-friendly and harder for many to use.
How Alt Text Impacts SEO?
How Alt Text Impacts SEO?
How Alt Text Impacts SEO?
Alt text is important for search engine optimization (SEO) because search engines do not look at images like people do. They read text descriptions to understand and list images the right way. Clear alt text gives the right info to search engines. This helps your site show up in Google Images and can also help your site rank higher in search results.
On the other hand, if alt text is missing or not clear, it can hurt your rankings and make it harder for people to use your site. When you add text that tells what the picture shows, you help both search engines and people know what your content is about.
Alt text is important for search engine optimization (SEO) because search engines do not look at images like people do. They read text descriptions to understand and list images the right way. Clear alt text gives the right info to search engines. This helps your site show up in Google Images and can also help your site rank higher in search results.
On the other hand, if alt text is missing or not clear, it can hurt your rankings and make it harder for people to use your site. When you add text that tells what the picture shows, you help both search engines and people know what your content is about.
Alt text is important for search engine optimization (SEO) because search engines do not look at images like people do. They read text descriptions to understand and list images the right way. Clear alt text gives the right info to search engines. This helps your site show up in Google Images and can also help your site rank higher in search results.
On the other hand, if alt text is missing or not clear, it can hurt your rankings and make it harder for people to use your site. When you add text that tells what the picture shows, you help both search engines and people know what your content is about.
Examples of Good vs. Bad Alt Text
Examples of Good vs. Bad Alt Text
Examples of Good vs. Bad Alt Text
Bad Alt Text
Bad Alt Text
Bad Alt Text
Bad Alt Text
Bad Alt Text
Good Alt Text
Good Alt Text
Good Alt Text
Good Alt Text
Good Alt Text
Image1
Image1
Image1
Image1
Golden retriever puppy playing in the garden
Golden retriever puppy playing in the garden
Golden retriever puppy playing in the garden
Golden retriever puppy playing in the garden
Picture of shoes
Picture of shoes
Picture of shoes
Picture of shoes
Black leather men’s dress shoes on white background
Black leather men’s dress shoes on white background
Black leather men’s dress shoes on white background
Black leather men’s dress shoes on white background
Banner
Banner
Banner
Banner
Spring sale banner with 50% off discount text
Spring sale banner with 50% off discount text
Spring sale banner with 50% off discount text
Spring sale banner with 50% off discount text
Logo
Logo
Logo
Logo
Company logo featuring a blue globe and company name
Company logo featuring a blue globe and company name
Company logo featuring a blue globe and company name
Company logo featuring a blue globe and company name
Cat
Cat
Cat
Cat
Orange tabby cat sitting on a windowsill looking outside
Orange tabby cat sitting on a windowsill looking outside
Orange tabby cat sitting on a windowsill looking outside
Orange tabby cat sitting on a windowsill looking outside
Why Alt Text is Important for SEO?
Why Alt Text is Important for SEO?
Why Alt Text is Important for SEO?
Alt text was made to show words when pictures did not load. Now, it is a big part of SEO and can help your website do better. Moz says that when you use good alt text for images, they show up higher on Google Image Search. Google also talks about alt text in its Image Publishing Guidelines. This helps Google understand what is in the picture and rank it well.
Without alt text, search crawlers do not read or connect images with the text around them. This can make your website hard to find in search results and your site will not show high. In simple words, good alt text helps people and search engines understand images on your page. This helps your site get seen by more people.
Alt text was made to show words when pictures did not load. Now, it is a big part of SEO and can help your website do better. Moz says that when you use good alt text for images, they show up higher on Google Image Search. Google also talks about alt text in its Image Publishing Guidelines. This helps Google understand what is in the picture and rank it well.
Without alt text, search crawlers do not read or connect images with the text around them. This can make your website hard to find in search results and your site will not show high. In simple words, good alt text helps people and search engines understand images on your page. This helps your site get seen by more people.
Alt text was made to show words when pictures did not load. Now, it is a big part of SEO and can help your website do better. Moz says that when you use good alt text for images, they show up higher on Google Image Search. Google also talks about alt text in its Image Publishing Guidelines. This helps Google understand what is in the picture and rank it well.
Without alt text, search crawlers do not read or connect images with the text around them. This can make your website hard to find in search results and your site will not show high. In simple words, good alt text helps people and search engines understand images on your page. This helps your site get seen by more people.
Tips for Writing Effective Alt Text
Tips for Writing Effective Alt Text
Tips for Writing Effective Alt Text
Be Descriptive: Say what the image shows.
Example: “Team having a celebration for the new item launch in the office.”
Keep It Short: Stay between 5–15 words.
Don’t Repeat: Leave out words like “image of” or “picture of.”
Add Keywords: Use important SEO keywords if they fit well.
Example: “Organic skincare products placed on a wooden shelf.”
Say the Role: For buttons or infographics, explain what they do.
Example: “Search button to open site search bar.”
Skip Extra Images: For visuals with no added meaning, use alt="".
Check Accessibility: Use screen reading tools to see if the alt text matches what is needed.
Be Descriptive: Say what the image shows.
Example: “Team having a celebration for the new item launch in the office.”
Keep It Short: Stay between 5–15 words.
Don’t Repeat: Leave out words like “image of” or “picture of.”
Add Keywords: Use important SEO keywords if they fit well.
Example: “Organic skincare products placed on a wooden shelf.”
Say the Role: For buttons or infographics, explain what they do.
Example: “Search button to open site search bar.”
Skip Extra Images: For visuals with no added meaning, use alt="".
Check Accessibility: Use screen reading tools to see if the alt text matches what is needed.
Be Descriptive: Say what the image shows.
Example: “Team having a celebration for the new item launch in the office.”
Keep It Short: Stay between 5–15 words.
Don’t Repeat: Leave out words like “image of” or “picture of.”
Add Keywords: Use important SEO keywords if they fit well.
Example: “Organic skincare products placed on a wooden shelf.”
Say the Role: For buttons or infographics, explain what they do.
Example: “Search button to open site search bar.”
Skip Extra Images: For visuals with no added meaning, use alt="".
Check Accessibility: Use screen reading tools to see if the alt text matches what is needed.
Types of Images That Don’t Need Alt Text
Types of Images That Don’t Need Alt Text
Types of Images That Don’t Need Alt Text
Most images get something from having alt text, but some must be left empty on purpose:
Decorative Images: These pictures are only for design, like borders or patterns. Use: alt=""
Spacer Images: Blank pictures that help with layout and space between things.
Extra Images: Pictures that say the same thing as the text right next to them.
Just for Decoration Icons: Small images that look good but do not add any real meaning.
Leaving these empty makes it easy for screen readers to skip pictures that are not needed. This helps people who cannot see well to move around the page in a better way.
Most images get something from having alt text, but some must be left empty on purpose:
Decorative Images: These pictures are only for design, like borders or patterns. Use: alt=""
Spacer Images: Blank pictures that help with layout and space between things.
Extra Images: Pictures that say the same thing as the text right next to them.
Just for Decoration Icons: Small images that look good but do not add any real meaning.
Leaving these empty makes it easy for screen readers to skip pictures that are not needed. This helps people who cannot see well to move around the page in a better way.
Most images get something from having alt text, but some must be left empty on purpose:
Decorative Images: These pictures are only for design, like borders or patterns. Use: alt=""
Spacer Images: Blank pictures that help with layout and space between things.
Extra Images: Pictures that say the same thing as the text right next to them.
Just for Decoration Icons: Small images that look good but do not add any real meaning.
Leaving these empty makes it easy for screen readers to skip pictures that are not needed. This helps people who cannot see well to move around the page in a better way.
Tools to Check and Optimize Alt Text
Tools to Check and Optimize Alt Text
Tools to Check and Optimize Alt Text
Google Search Console: Identify images that may be missing alt text or have accessibility issues.
Screaming Frog SEO Spider: Crawl your site to audit alt text and spot missing or duplicate descriptions.
WAVE Accessibility Tool: Check your website’s accessibility, including alt text quality.
Google Search Console: Identify images that may be missing alt text or have accessibility issues.
Screaming Frog SEO Spider: Crawl your site to audit alt text and spot missing or duplicate descriptions.
WAVE Accessibility Tool: Check your website’s accessibility, including alt text quality.
Google Search Console: Identify images that may be missing alt text or have accessibility issues.
Screaming Frog SEO Spider: Crawl your site to audit alt text and spot missing or duplicate descriptions.
WAVE Accessibility Tool: Check your website’s accessibility, including alt text quality.
Alt Text Best Practices
Alt Text Best Practices
Alt Text Best Practices
Write short, clear, and helpful descriptions.
Use natural words and do not fill your text with too many keywords.
Do not use the same alt text for more than one image.
If the image shows text, add those words to the alt text.
Try your website with tools to check if your alt text helps everyone as it should.
When you take time to add good alt text, you help more people use your site. At the same time, you give your website a better chance to show up in search results.
Write short, clear, and helpful descriptions.
Use natural words and do not fill your text with too many keywords.
Do not use the same alt text for more than one image.
If the image shows text, add those words to the alt text.
Try your website with tools to check if your alt text helps everyone as it should.
When you take time to add good alt text, you help more people use your site. At the same time, you give your website a better chance to show up in search results.
Write short, clear, and helpful descriptions.
Use natural words and do not fill your text with too many keywords.
Do not use the same alt text for more than one image.
If the image shows text, add those words to the alt text.
Try your website with tools to check if your alt text helps everyone as it should.
When you take time to add good alt text, you help more people use your site. At the same time, you give your website a better chance to show up in search results.
Final Thoughts
Final Thoughts
Final Thoughts
Alt text may look small, but it is a strong way to help with accessibility, SEO, and user experience. It makes sure that all visitors, including those who can’t see well, can get something from your website. Also, alt text that explains the image and uses the right keywords helps your brand show up better in search results.
Alt text may look small, but it is a strong way to help with accessibility, SEO, and user experience. It makes sure that all visitors, including those who can’t see well, can get something from your website. Also, alt text that explains the image and uses the right keywords helps your brand show up better in search results.
Alt text may look small, but it is a strong way to help with accessibility, SEO, and user experience. It makes sure that all visitors, including those who can’t see well, can get something from your website. Also, alt text that explains the image and uses the right keywords helps your brand show up better in search results.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is ad scheduling important for ROI?
Yes—only if done naturally. Keyword stuffing harms SEO. A keyword should be included only when it accurately describes the image. Search engines reward clarity, not forced optimization.
How long should ideal alt text be?
What happens if an image has no alt text at all?
Can alt text replace captions or image titles?
Does alt text affect Core Web Vitals or page experience?
Should illustrations, icons, or emojis have alt text?
Is alt text the same as image file name?
Why is ad scheduling important for ROI?
Yes—only if done naturally. Keyword stuffing harms SEO. A keyword should be included only when it accurately describes the image. Search engines reward clarity, not forced optimization.
How long should ideal alt text be?
What happens if an image has no alt text at all?
Can alt text replace captions or image titles?
Does alt text affect Core Web Vitals or page experience?
Should illustrations, icons, or emojis have alt text?
Is alt text the same as image file name?
Why is ad scheduling important for ROI?
Yes—only if done naturally. Keyword stuffing harms SEO. A keyword should be included only when it accurately describes the image. Search engines reward clarity, not forced optimization.
How long should ideal alt text be?
What happens if an image has no alt text at all?
Can alt text replace captions or image titles?
Does alt text affect Core Web Vitals or page experience?
Should illustrations, icons, or emojis have alt text?
Is alt text the same as image file name?
Why is ad scheduling important for ROI?
Yes—only if done naturally. Keyword stuffing harms SEO. A keyword should be included only when it accurately describes the image. Search engines reward clarity, not forced optimization.
How long should ideal alt text be?
What happens if an image has no alt text at all?
Can alt text replace captions or image titles?
Does alt text affect Core Web Vitals or page experience?
Should illustrations, icons, or emojis have alt text?
Is alt text the same as image file name?
Why is ad scheduling important for ROI?
Yes—only if done naturally. Keyword stuffing harms SEO. A keyword should be included only when it accurately describes the image. Search engines reward clarity, not forced optimization.
How long should ideal alt text be?
What happens if an image has no alt text at all?
Can alt text replace captions or image titles?
Does alt text affect Core Web Vitals or page experience?
Should illustrations, icons, or emojis have alt text?
Is alt text the same as image file name?
Proper Alt Text Ensures Equal Usability & Enhances UX.
Proper Alt Text Ensures Equal Usability & Enhances UX.
Proper Alt Text Ensures Equal Usability & Enhances UX.
Proper Alt Text Ensures Equal Usability & Enhances UX.
Make your site more inclusive and search-friendly by adding meaningful alt text that supports all users.
Make your site more inclusive and search-friendly by adding meaningful alt text that supports all users.
Make your site more inclusive and search-friendly by adding meaningful alt text that supports all users.
Make your site more inclusive & search-friendly by adding meaningful alt text that supports all users.
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4.9/5 Ratings!
4.9/5 Ratings!
4.9/5 Ratings!
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