What is Alt Text?

Alt Text - a short description of the image content that helps visually impaired people to understand what is on the picture. It's also used by search engine bots to index images correctly. Alt text is an essential part of web accessibility and SEO optimization.

The Alt Text should be concise, informative, and relevant to the image. It should describe the content and purpose of the picture without being too long or repetitive. The recommended length for alt text is 125 characters or less.

When writing alt text, it's important to avoid using phrases like "image of" or "picture of." Instead, focus on describing what's in the image as if you were explaining it to someone who couldn't see it.

The Importance of Alt Text for Web Accessibility

Web accessibility means making sure that everyone can access and use your website regardless of their abilities. Alt text plays a crucial role in achieving this goal because it provides alternative information about images for those who can't see them.

Including descriptive alt text makes your website more accessible to people with visual impairments, including those who use screen readers or other assistive technologies. Without alt text, these users may miss out on valuable information provided through pictures and other visual elements.

The Role of Alt Text in SEO Optimization

In addition to its importance for web accessibility, alt text also has benefits for search engine optimization (SEO). Search engines use alt text as one way to understand what's on a page and rank it accordingly in search results.

By including descriptive keywords related to your content within your image's alt tag, you can improve your page’s relevance and visibility in search results pages when users are searching for specific topics related to your business or industry. This can ultimately drive more traffic to your website and increase engagement with your content.

Creating Effective Alt Text

When creating alt text, it's important to keep it concise, informative, and relevant to the image. Use specific details that help convey the image's purpose or message without being too wordy or repetitive.

Additionally, make sure that you use language that is appropriate for your target audience. If you're targeting a specific demographic, consider using terminology or phrases that they would be familiar with and understand.