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.

Examples of Well-Optimized 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."

Well-crafted alt text provides relevant details without excessive length.

Tools to Improve Alt Text and Image SEO

Several tools help streamline alt text creation and SEO optimization:

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

• Google Keyword Planner:Identifies relevant keywords for image descriptions.
• Yoast SEO (WordPress): Provides alt text reminders and SEO recommendations.
• Screen Reader Testing Tools: Simulates user experience for visually impaired readers.

Integrating these tools ensures that alt text aligns with SEO best practices and accessibility standards.

Advanced Image SEO: Beyond Alt Text

Optimizing alt text is just one step in image SEO. Consider these additional strategies:

1. Optimize Image File Names

Instead of generic names like "IMG_1234.jpg," use keyword-rich filenames.

Example:

• Bad File Name: "IMG_1234.jpg"
• Optimized File Name: "ceramic-coffee-mug.jpg"

2. Compress Images for Faster Load Times

Large images slow down websites, impacting both SEO rankings and user experience. Tools like TinyPNG reduce file sizes without sacrificing quality.

3. Include Images in Your Sitemap

Adding images to your XML sitemap ensures that search engines index them properly. This increases their visibility in Google Image Search.

Conclusion

Alt text enhances both SEO and accessibility, making it a critical component of content optimization.

Key Takeaways:

• Describe images clearly and avoid unnecessary phrases.
• Use keywords naturally while keeping alt text concise.
• Avoid keyword stuffing and vague descriptions.
• Optimize image file names, compress images, and submit them to sitemaps.

Implementing these strategies improves search visibility, accessibility compliance, and overall user experience.

Next Steps: Improve Your Image SEO

• Read: "How to Optimize Images for SEO" for a complete image optimization guide.
• Get Expert Help: Contact us today or explore our Image SEO Guide for more expert tips.