What is Alt Text?
Alt text (alternative text) is a written description of images on HTML pages, improving accessibility for users who cannot see images. Often referred to as “alt description” or “alt attribute,” it helps screen readers convey the image content to visually impaired users. Technically, “alt tag” is incorrect since alt text is an attribute within the HTML tag.
Importance of Alt Text
- Accessibility: Helps visually impaired users understand image content via screen readers.
- SEO Benefits: Allows search engines to understand image content, improving page relevance and rankings. Alt text also aids in ranking in image searches.
- Link Context: When images are used as links, alt text serves as anchor text, helping search engines understand the linked page’s content.
Best Practices for Alt Text
- Audit for Missing Alt Texts: Use tools to find images lacking alt text. Focus on adding alt text to images on high-traffic pages.
- Avoid Keyword Stuffing: Include relevant keywords but avoid overloading alt text with them. Use concise, informative text.
- Keep it Under 100 Characters: Alt text should be brief and to the point, typically under 100 characters, ensuring it isn’t cut off by screen readers.
Example of Alt Text
<img src="image.jpg" alt="Description of the image" title="Image Title"/>Alt text is essential for accessibility and can also enhance SEO by providing search engines with more context about your images. By following best practices, you can make your website more user-friendly and improve its search engine performance.
