What exactly are image alt attributes?<\/h2>\n
Let me set the stage: Alt text (short for “alternative text” or \u201cimage description\u201d) is a written description included in the HTML of an image. Its primary role is to provide context and meaning for anyone who can\u2019t see the picture\u2014think of someone using a screen reader, or when images fail to load. But that\u2019s not all. Search engines rely on it to understand images as well, improving your site\u2019s chance of being found, as highlighted in articles in the SEO basics section of The Best SEO blog.<\/p>\n
Every time you add an image to a page, you have a choice: Describe it well, skip it altogether, or end up somewhere in between.<\/strong><\/p>\n According to the 2024 Web Almanac<\/a>, nearly 69% of images passed the Google Lighthouse audit for alt text, up from 59% in 2022. This shows a heartening trend: more sites recognize the value of solid descriptions, not just for robots, but for everyone who visits.<\/p>\n On the surface, a description might look like a tiny detail, but I\u2019ve watched it make a powerful difference:<\/p>\n But there\u2019s more to it. By describing images clearly, you\u2019re building digital spaces that feel open and useful to all kinds of visitors. It’s the sort of detail professional content creators discuss in places like the content creation category of The Best SEO.<\/p>\n Inclusion is built one description at a time.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n One of the first things I learned is that not all images carry the same weight. Some are central, some are just for appearance, and some do a job (like buttons or icons). The approach to describing them shifts depending on their role.<\/p>\n These images aren\u2019t for looks\u2014they help users complete a task. Classic examples: a shopping cart icon, a magnifying glass for search, or a submit button.<\/p>\n Functional images must be described based on what action they perform, not what they look like.<\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n Instead of “Magnifying glass,” describe as \u201cSearch.\u201d If someone clicks it to perform a function, tell them what the function is.<\/p>\n Some images are purely visual and add nothing to understanding. Think: abstract backgrounds, simple borders, or extra ornamentation. Section508.gov mentions that for these, the description can be left empty (using Things like graphs, charts, or instructional diagrams don\u2019t fit in a short phrase. Here, the description should either:<\/p>\n I typically keep the alt attribute short\u2014\u201cBar chart of monthly sales, detailed data below\u201d\u2014and then offer extra info in a caption or paragraph.<\/p>\n For someone with low vision or blindness, a screen reader is often their main tool for navigating the web. When they arrive at an image, the software reads out the alternative description set in HTML. If it\u2019s good, users get the same information as anyone else. If it\u2019s missing or vague, a part of your site is cut off from them.<\/p>\n For example, I once helped review a website where every image was labeled just as \u201cphoto.\u201d To a screen reader user, that\u2019s as helpful as silence. But with proper descriptions\u2014”Map of downtown with accessible routes highlighted” or “Close-up of a pink rose bloom”\u2014the site came alive in ways that truly mattered.<\/p>\n Thoughtful descriptions unlock content for everyone.<\/strong><\/p>\n Writing a good description is a mix of clarity, relevance, and brevity. The following guidelines help me stay on target every time:<\/p>\n For complex visuals, I write a summary in the description and give full details elsewhere: \u201cAnnual energy usage graph, see detailed table below.\u201d<\/p>\n For images that aren\u2019t informative\u2014those decorative swirls, logos without a link, etc.\u2014it\u2019s standard to leave the description empty (alt=””). This tells screen readers to ignore the image, so users aren\u2019t interrupted by pointless content.<\/p>\n But if you forget to add the attribute altogether, some screen readers read the image file name, which can be confusing or meaningless (\u201clogo-final-V7-NEW.png\u201d). That\u2019s why I always double-check the code, even for backgrounds or graphic lines.<\/p>\n Adding image descriptions to your HTML is simple. The pattern looks like:<\/p>\n <img src=”golden-retriever.jpg” alt=”Golden retriever running on grass”><\/p><\/blockquote>\n If the image is only decorative:<\/p>\n <img src=”blue-border.png” alt=””><\/p><\/blockquote>\n This approach is universal\u2014whether you use plain HTML, a CMS, or a web builder, learn how to spot and update this attribute.<\/p>\n I\u2019ve worked with many content managers, so here\u2019s how I usually coach people through the process:<\/p>\n Some platforms include extra options for long descriptions or linking to details (for charts and diagrams), so check your settings\u2014this is one place where a quick review always pays off.<\/p>\n There\u2019s a real art to writing good image descriptions, and a few frequent mistakes come up in my training sessions:<\/p>\n Descriptions work best when they fit neatly and naturally into the page context.<\/strong> When reviewing sites like those in website optimization, I always check for these slip-ups.<\/p>\n The Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) set the gold standard for accessible websites. Among other things, they require alternative descriptions for meaningful images, as do U.S. Section 508 rules for government-related web content. Section508.gov<\/a> confirms that the text should be brief, accurate, and in the page\u2019s main language.<\/p>\n Good descriptions aren\u2019t just a best practice\u2014they help you meet legal and ethical standards, so I recommend them for every site, from hobby blogs to large organizations.<\/p>\n I always recommend these tips for ongoing checks:<\/p>\n You\u2019ll spot missing pieces, generic phrases, or misused keywords. Fixing these details doesn\u2019t take long, and the improvement in inclusiveness and search performance is real.<\/p>\n Small changes, big impact.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n Descriptions aren\u2019t the only piece of the puzzle. File names matter too\u2014search engines look at these when crawling your pages. Here\u2019s what I suggest:<\/p>\n This adds a minor boost to search engines\u2019 understanding\u2014useful for any well-organized website, and doubly so for anyone interested in ranking strategies found in examples from The Best SEO.<\/p>\n When I step back and look at the effect of great image descriptions, what stands out is how many people benefit\u2014site visitors, content creators, search engines, and anyone who wants an open web. The more I work with these details, the more I see them as a bridge: not just for page rank, but for building useful, friendly, and compliant websites.<\/p>\n If you\u2019re passionate about reaching more people, describing your images properly is a habit worth building. At The Best SEO, my goal is to keep offering guidance so you can make your website work for everyone, search bots included. To learn more ways to improve your site\u2019s visibility and accessibility, take a look at our tips in related posts or try our tool to simplify your own ranking journey. Your visitors\u2014and your search results\u2014will thank you.<\/p>\n Alt text is a brief description of an image\u2019s content, written in HTML, used to help screen readers describe images to people with visual impairments and to help search engines understand the image\u2019s context.<\/strong> It\u2019s helpful for those who can\u2019t see the image and improves your site\u2019s search visibility. Meeting accessibility standards (such as WCAG and Section 508) often requires these descriptions on meaningful images.<\/p>\n To write useful image descriptions, be clear and concise. Describe what\u2019s in the image and its purpose, avoid unnecessary repetition or wordy phrases, and match the description to the surrounding content. Never stuff keywords, and don\u2019t start with \u201cimage of\u201d or \u201cphoto of.\u201d<\/strong> For more advice, see resources from Section508.gov<\/a>.<\/p>\n Yes, it helps search engines understand an image\u2019s content and relevance, supporting image search and improving your page\u2019s chance to rank higher. Descriptions that match the subject naturally can bring more visitors to your website from image search results.<\/strong> For example, descriptive text helps Google better index your pages, as seen in the latest surveys by the Web Almanac<\/a>.<\/p>\n You add alt descriptions in the HTML code using the alt attribute inside an Common mistakes include leaving image descriptions empty when they should be descriptive, stuffing them with keywords, using phrases like \u201cimage\u201d or \u201cphoto,\u201d repeating file names, or describing images that are only decorative. The best image descriptions are specific, brief, and match the image\u2019s purpose and nearby content.<\/strong><\/p>\nWhy describing images matters for both SEO and accessibility<\/h2>\n
\n
The main types of images and how to describe them<\/h2>\n
Functional images<\/h3>\n
Decorative images<\/h3>\n
alt=\"\"<\/code>), so screen readers skip them and avoid confusion for users. Guidance for this can be found on Section508.gov<\/a>.<\/p>\nComplex images<\/h3>\n
\n
![\"Digital](\"https:\/\/ixymyhazbhztpjnlxmbd.supabase.co\/storage\/v1\/object\/images\/generated\/website-accessibility-illustration-326.webp\")
<\/p>\nHow image descriptions help people using screen readers<\/h2>\n
Best practices for writing useful image descriptions<\/h2>\n
\n
![\"Comparison](\"https:\/\/ixymyhazbhztpjnlxmbd.supabase.co\/storage\/v1\/object\/images\/generated\/good-vs-bad-alt-text-434.webp\")
<\/p>\nHow do I handle empty alt attributes properly?<\/h2>\n
Fitting descriptions in your HTML code<\/h2>\n
Step-by-step: Adding alt text in popular CMS platforms<\/h2>\n
\n
<img><\/code> tag uses the alt attribute in line with its purpose.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\nCommon pitfalls to avoid<\/h2>\n
\n
Compliance and standards: WCAG and Section 508<\/h2>\n
![\"Illustration](\"https:\/\/ixymyhazbhztpjnlxmbd.supabase.co\/storage\/v1\/object\/images\/generated\/screen-reader-testing-image-447.webp\")
<\/p>\nReviewing and testing your alt attributes<\/h2>\n
\n
Image file naming tips for SEO<\/h2>\n
\n
Conclusion<\/h2>\n
Frequently Asked Questions<\/h2>\n
What is alt text and why use it?<\/h3>\n
How to write good alt text?<\/h3>\n
Does alt text help with SEO?<\/h3>\n
Where to add alt text in images?<\/h3>\n
<img><\/code> tag, or through your content management system (CMS) in the media or image settings panel. Always review your site\u2019s code or CMS options to make sure every important image includes a useful description.<\/strong><\/p>\nWhat are common mistakes with alt text?<\/h3>\n