With the increasing use of images in the digital world, it has become essential to ensure that people who are visually impaired or rely on screen readers can also access the content. One effective way to improve image accessibility is by providing alt text. Alt text for images, also known as alternative text, is a concise description of the image that enables visually impaired users to understand the content and context of the image. 

What Is Alt Text for Images?

Alt text, short for alternative text, is a crucial element in website accessibility. It is a concise description of an image that is embedded into the HTML code of a webpage. The purpose of alt text for image accessibility is to provide visually impaired users with a textual depiction of the image, which is read aloud by screen readers. By doing so, it enables everyone to understand the information conveyed by the image, making it an essential component of web design. In essence, alt text ensures that web content is accessible to a wider audience, promoting inclusivity and diversity in online spaces.

Why Is Image Alt Text Important?

Here are compelling reasons to incorporate alt text for images on your website:

• User Experience: Alt text for images is crucial for an inclusive user experience. Visually impaired users can understand the content of images, making the experience more comprehensive.
• Accessibility: Alt text accessibility is crucial for web accessibility. It promotes equal access to information for users with disabilities by adhering to WCAG guidelines. It ensures that individuals with disabilities can access and understand image content, promoting inclusivity.
• Image Traffic: The alt text for images helps search engines understand the content of an image, leading to a better image search ranking and increased image traffic to a website.
• Improves SEO: The alt text for images provides valuable information about the image, increasing its visibility and relevance in search engine results.

How to Write Good Alt Text for Images

To create effective alt text, you need to balance conciseness and descriptiveness. These are some key principles to keep in mind:

• Determine the Purpose of the Image / Being Specific is The Key: There are two primary ways to define the purpose of an image: one is to identify its purpose or use, and the other is to be specific. What does the image intend to convey? What information does it convey? Focus on only describing the essential content rather than detailed information.
• Be Descriptive Yet Concise: When writing your description, avoid using overly verbose language. Instead, try to use clear, accurate, precise, and concise language, preferably under 125 characters, to convey your message effectively.
• Include the Function of the Image: If the image serves a specific purpose, such as a call-to-action button or a chart that illustrates data, it is important to add this information to the alt text with the image.
• Decorative Images Don’t Require Alt Text: If the image is only decorative and doesn’t provide essential information, you can leave the alt text empty (alt=””).
• Edit the Alt Text for Conciseness: If your Alt Text is not concise, then it should be edited for clarity and conciseness. Once you have written your initial description, review and edit it for conciseness. Remove unnecessary words while making sure the main message is clear.
• Add Keywords as Per Requirement: Although you should prioritize clarity, you can strategically include relevant keywords if they make sense within the description’s context.

Conclusion

By effectively incorporating alt text, you create a more inclusive and accessible website experience for all users. It’s a win-win situation: enhancing the user experience, promoting accessibility compliance, and potentially boosting your image search ranking.