What is Alt Text?
Alt text (alternative text) is an HTML attribute applied to images on a webpage that describes the content or function of the image. It is used by screen readers to improve accessibility for visually impaired users and is also displayed if the image fails to load.
Alt text also provides important context for search engines, helping them understand the content of images and how they relate to the surrounding page.
Why Alt Text Matters
Alt text serves three important purposes:
- It improves accessibility by describing images to users who rely on screen readers.
- It contributes to SEO by allowing search engines to index visual content.
- It enhances user experience when images cannot be displayed due to loading issues.
Well-written alt text should be concise, descriptive, and relevant to the page content. It should avoid keyword stuffing and should not include phrases like “image of” or “picture of,” as this is assumed.
Example in Use
For an image showing a person using a laptop at a desk, effective alt text could be:
“Person working on a laptop at a wooden desk with a coffee cup”
This description provides helpful context for users and search engines while remaining brief and relevant.