What is Alt Text? In Plain English

In Plain English

Alt text (short for alternative text) is a short description added to images on your website. It tells search engines and people using screen readers what the image is about.

Example:

• An image of a red running shoe might have alt text: “Red Nike running shoe on white background.”

Think of alt text like a caption written for those who can’t see the image.

Why Alt Text Matters

• Accessibility: Helps people with visual impairments understand your content.
• SEO: Gives search engines context about your images, helping them appear in Google Images.
• Fallback: If an image doesn’t load, the alt text is displayed instead.

Best Practices for Alt Text

• Be descriptive and accurate.
• Keep it short (usually under 125 characters).
• Include keywords naturally if they fit.
• Don’t stuff keywords — clarity comes first.

FAQs

Q: What is alt text?
It’s a written description of an image that helps search engines and screen readers understand it.

Q: Does alt text improve SEO?
Yes, it helps images appear in Google Images and supports overall page relevance.

Q: Should every image have alt text?
Yes, especially important images. Decorative images can have empty alt text if they don’t add meaning.