How to Write Effective Alt Text for Images

1. What is Alt Text, and Why Should You Care?

Alt text is that little description you add to your images. Think of it as a way to explain your images to:

• Search engines (so they know what your images are about).
• Visually impaired users (so their screen readers can describe your content).
• People with slow internet (so they know what they’re missing if an image doesn’t load).

Basically, it’s like giving your images a voice. Done right, alt text helps your SEO, improves accessibility, and makes your site feel more polished.

2. Why Good Alt Text Matters

You’ve probably noticed images showing up in search results. That’s no accident. Google looks at alt text to decide if your images are worth showing for certain searches.

But it’s not just about rankings. Writing effective alt text:

• Makes your content accessible to everyone, including people using screen readers.
• Enhances the user experience if an image doesn’t load.
• Helps your site meet accessibility standards (like ADA compliance).

3. How to Write Alt Text That Actually Works

Here’s a simple formula for writing alt text:

A. Describe What You See

Pretend you’re explaining the image to someone who can’t see it. Be specific and clear.

Example:

Image: A red rose in a glass vase on a wooden table.

Alt Text: “A single red rose in a glass vase on a wooden table.”

B. Keep It Short and Sweet

Alt text isn’t the place for paragraphs. Stick to one sentence or less.

C. Use Keywords Naturally

If your image is tied to a blog about “best ceramic coffee mugs,” it makes sense to include that keyword—but don’t force it.

Example:

Alt Text: “A ceramic coffee mug with a lid sitting on a wooden desk.”

D. Skip the Obvious

Don’t include phrases like “image of” or “picture of.” Screen readers already know it’s an image.

4. Common Alt Text Mistakes to Avoid

Let’s talk about what not to do:

1. Keyword Stuffing

Alt Text: “Coffee mug, best coffee mug, ceramic coffee mug, SEO coffee mug.”

Why It’s Bad: Google hates spammy descriptions, and users won’t find this helpful.

2. Being Too Vague

Alt Text: “Product.”

Why It’s Bad: This doesn’t give search engines or users any useful information.

3. Ignoring Decorative Images

If an image is purely decorative (like a background pattern), you don’t need alt text. Mark it as decorative in your CMS instead.

5. Real-Life Examples of Good Alt Text

A. Product Image

Image: A pair of blue running shoes with white soles.

Alt Text: “A pair of blue running shoes with white soles on a track.”

B. Blog Post Header Image

Image: A person typing on a laptop at a coffee shop.

Alt Text: “A person typing on a laptop at a coffee shop table.”

C. Infographic

Image: A pie chart showing social media usage by platform.

Alt Text: “A pie chart showing that 40% of users prefer Instagram over Facebook and Twitter.”

6. Tools to Help You Write Better Alt Text

If you’re feeling stuck, these tools can help:

• Google Keyword Planner: Find keywords that fit your images.
• Yoast SEO (WordPress): It’ll remind you to add alt text and tell you how it impacts SEO.
• Screen Reader Testing Tools: These let you hear how your alt text sounds to users relying on screen readers.

7. Image SEO: Beyond Alt Text

Alt text is just one part of image SEO. Make sure you’re:

• Naming Your Files Smartly: Instead of “IMG_1234.jpg,” use something like “ceramic-coffee-mug.jpg.”
• Compressing Images: Large files slow down your site. Tools like TinyPNG can help.
• Adding Images to Your Sitemap: This makes them easier for Google to crawl.

Related Content:

• Check out "How to Optimize Images for SEO" for more image-related tips.

8. Conclusion

Alt text might seem like a small detail, but it packs a punch when it comes to SEO and accessibility. The best part? It’s easy to get right if you follow a few simple rules.

Start by optimizing alt text for a handful of images on your site, and you’ll be surprised at the difference it makes—for your audience, your rankings, and your site’s overall experience.

Call-to-Action:

Need help with your alt text or SEO strategy? Contact us today or explore our Image SEO Guide for more expert tips.