Alt text, also known as "alt attributes" or "alt descriptions," is a crucial aspect of web accessibility and SEO. This text provides a brief description of an image on a website, making it accessible to people who use screen readers and other assistive technologies, as well as helping search engines understand the content on the page. In this blog post, we will discuss the importance of alt text and how to use it effectively.
What is Alt Text?
Alt text, also known as "alternative text" or "alt tags," is a piece of HTML code that is used to describe the contents of an image on a website. It is intended to provide a text equivalent of an image for those who are unable to see it, such as users with visual impairments who are using screen readers. Alt text is also used by search engines to understand the contents of an image and to give context to the image for ranking purposes. In short, it is a brief text description of an image that is only visible to users when the image can't be loaded for some reason, it's used for accessibility and search engine optimization.
Why is Alt Text Important?
Alt text is an essential aspect of web accessibility, as it allows people who use screen readers and other assistive technologies to understand the content of an image. Screen readers are software programs that read out the content of a website, including text, images, and links. Without alt text, people who rely on screen readers would not be able to understand the content of an image, which could limit their ability to fully engage with the website.
Alt text is also important for SEO (Search Engine Optimization). Search engines use alt text to understand the content of an image and to determine how it relates to the rest of the content on the page. This helps search engines to rank the page more effectively and to return more relevant results to users.
How to Use Alt Text Effectively
When adding alt text to an image, it's important to keep it concise and descriptive. The text should accurately describe the content of the image and provide context for its use on the page. Avoid using generic phrases like "image" or "photo," and steer clear of using irrelevant or overly complex language.
It's also important to include keywords in the alt text when it makes sense. For example, if the image is of a black and white dog, the alt text could read "black and white dog." This will help search engines understand the content of the image and how it relates to the rest of the content on the page.
It's also important to use null alt text when the image is used for decorative purpose only and not providing any meaningful content.
OURSEO.
In conclusion, incorporating alt text into your website's images is crucial for both SEO and accessibility. Alt text is a short piece of text that is associated with an image on a website. It is used to provide a brief description of the image, and it is typically displayed in place of the image when the image cannot be loaded. For example, if a user has a slow internet connection, or if the image is blocked by an ad blocker, the alt text will be displayed instead. can help website owners by providing them with expert guidance on how to properly use alt text to improve their search engine rankings and provide a better experience for users with assistive technology. By taking advantage of OurSEO's services, website owners can ensure that their images are properly optimized and that their website is accessible to all users. With OurSEO's help, website owners can take the necessary steps to improve their website's visibility and usability.