Writing Great Alt Text for Your Website Images
Alt Text is an important tool for both accessibility and SEO (Search Engine Optimization). It helps people using screen readers understand your images and helps search engines like Google index your images properly. In this guide, we’ll show you how to write effective Alt Text that improves both accessibility and your search ranking.
New to Alt Text? Learn more about best practices from Google’s guide to using alt text.
STEP ONE
DESCRIBE THE IMAGE CLEARLY
When writing Alt Text, think about what’s happening in the image and describe it as clearly and specifically as possible. Imagine explaining the image to a friend who can’t see it. Here are some questions to help guide you:
- What’s happening in the image?
- Who or what is featured?
- Where is it taking place?
- What stands out about the image?
Each image should have unique Alt Text that accurately reflects what’s in the picture.
STEP TWO
ADD CONTEXT
Consider why the image is included on the page. What message is it supporting? The Alt Text should match the context of the page. For example:
- On a “Vacation Packages” page, a photo of a family at the beach could be described as:
“Smiling family walking along the beach during sunset in Florida.”
This approach helps both users and search engines understand how the image fits into the content of your page.
BEST PRACTICES FOR WRITING ALT TEXT
- Use clear and simple language: Aim for easy-to-understand descriptions.
- Write in complete sentences: Start with a capital letter and end with a period.
- Be concise: Keep Alt Text under 140 characters, as most screen readers cut off after that point.
WHAT TO AVOID IN ALT TEXT
To make your Alt Text as effective as possible, avoid these common mistakes:
- Don’t use special characters: Things like quotation marks, parentheses, or exclamation points aren’t needed.
- Don’t start with “Image of” or “Picture of”: Screen readers already know it's an image, so it’s unnecessary and takes up space.
By following these tips, you'll improve both your site's accessibility for users with visual impairments and its visibility in search engines like Google.
