+45 53 83 87 01Image alt text, also known as “alternative text” or “alt attributes”, is a brief and descriptive text attribute that is added to the HTML code of an image tag to provide a textual alternative for search engines and visually impaired users. This text is displayed when an image file cannot be loaded and is also used by screen readers to describe images to users who cannot see them.
Importance in SEO:
Alt text plays a critical role in both accessibility and SEO. It aids search engines in better understanding the content and context of an image, which can contribute to the image’s visibility in search engine results. Optimized alt text can improve web accessibility for users relying on screen readers, thus aligning with web standards and increasing the site’s overall user experience, which is a pivotal aspect considered by search engines when ranking content.
Best practices:
Following these guidelines will ensure that your images are both accessible and SEO-friendly. Below are some key best practices to keep in mind when crafting alt text for your website’s visuals:
- Be descriptive: Alt text should accurately describe the image’s content and function. Use keywords naturally, reflecting what the image is about.
- Keep it brief: Aim for succinctness, ideally under 125 characters, allowing screen readers to effectively convey the message without being verbose.
- Avoid keyword stuffing: Do not overload alt text with keywords as this can be considered spammy by search engines and can lead to a negative user experience.
- Use keywords wisely: Include relevant keywords when appropriate to help with image search rankings, but ensure they fit naturally within the context of the image description.
- Do not repeat text: Avoid using alt text that replicates exactly what is already stated in the caption or the surrounding content.
- Skip “Image of” or “Picture of”: Begin with the description rather than stating that it’s an image, which is already implied.
- Unique alt text for each image: Every image should have a unique alt text that describes that specific image’s content and context.
- No alt text for decorative images: If an image is purely decorative and adds no informational content, it’s acceptable to use an empty alt attribute (alt=””).
