Alt Text
Alt Text (Alternative Text) is used to describe the content of an image when it cannot be displayed or when it is being accessed by visually impaired users using screen readers. Alt text is specified as the alt
attribute within the <img>
tag in HTML, allowing the meaning or content of the image to be conveyed in text form.
Purpose and Benefits of Alt Text
Improved Accessibility:
Alt text helps visually impaired users and those who cannot view images understand the content or purpose of the image. Screen readers read the alt text aloud, providing information about the image.
Enhanced SEO (Search Engine Optimization):
Search engines cannot interpret images, so they use alt text to understand the content of the image. This helps the image appear in search results.
Better User Experience:
When images fail to load, users can still obtain information from the alt text, ensuring they understand the context of the image.
How to Use Alt Text
Example of specifying alt text in HTML:
<img src="example.jpg" alt="Descriptive alt text">
Writing Good Alt Text
Concise and Clear:
Briefly describe the content or purpose of the image. Example: "Photo of a red rose" or "Click to go to the sign-up form."
Provide Relevant Information:
Include important information conveyed by the image. Example: "Graph showing top technology trends in 2024."
Use Empty Alt Attribute for Decorative Images:
For images used solely for decorative purposes, use an empty
alt
attribute. Example:alt=""
. Screen readers will skip over these images.
Examples of Alt Text
Informative Image:
<img src="team-photo.jpg" alt="Photo of our development team">
Image with Link:
<a href="signup.html"><img src="signup-button.jpg" alt="Sign Up"></a>
Decorative Image:
<img src="decorative-line.jpg" alt="">
Considerations for Alt Text
Avoid Excessive Detail:
Keep the description brief and to the point, conveying the main idea of the image.
Include Important Information:
If the image provides important information, make sure this information is included in the alt text.
Avoid Redundant Information:
Do not include redundant words like "image" or "photo." Instead, directly describe the content.
Summary
Alt text is essential for improving accessibility, optimizing SEO, and enhancing user experience. By using appropriate alt text, you can provide a better web experience for all users.