What is Alt Text and Why Should You Care?
There is currently a bit of SEO chatter around the use of alt text and how Google has recently come out and said that what to put in your alt text is not primarily and SEO decision
Alt text (short for “alternative text”) is the description you add to an image in the HTML of a webpage. It serves two key purposes:
- Accessibility – Screen readers use alt text to describe images to visually impaired users.
- SEO – Search engines like Google use it to understand what an image is about, which can help your page rank higher in search results.
In short, if you’re not using alt text properly, you’re missing out on an SEO boost and making your website less accessible.
How to Write Good Alt Text (With Examples)
Writing alt text isn’t just about stuffing in keywords or describing every single detail. You need to strike a balance between being descriptive, relevant, and concise.
✅ Good Alt Text Example:
Image: A black Labrador puppy playing with a red ball in a park.
Good Alt Text: Black Labrador puppy playing with a red ball on green grass.
This works because:
- It describes the image clearly.
- It includes relevant details (puppy, red ball, green grass).
- It’s short and to the point.
❌ Bad Alt Text Examples (And Why They Suck)
- Vague and unhelpful:
- “Dog playing.” (Too generic – what kind of dog? What’s happening?)
- Keyword stuffing:
- “Dog, black Labrador, cute puppy, playing dog, best puppy ever, dog playing in park, dog with ball.” (Sounds spammy and unnatural – Google hates this.)
- Redundant:
- “Image of a black Labrador puppy playing with a ball.” (Screen readers already know it’s an image – no need to state it!)
Alt Text Do’s and Don’ts
✅ DO:
- Describe the image as if you were explaining it to someone over the phone.
- Keep it concise (125 characters max is a good rule).
- Include relevant keywords naturally (but don’t force them).
❌ DON’T:
- Start with “image of” or “picture of”.
- Write long, detailed sentences.
- Use alt text for purely decorative images (e.g., background graphics).
How Alt Text Helps SEO
1. Gives Google More Context
Search engines can’t “see” images, so alt text tells them what the image is about. If your image description matches the content of your page, it reinforces relevance and can help with rankings.
2. Boosts Image Search Rankings
Alt text helps your images appear in Google Images, which can drive extra traffic to your site. If someone searches for “best gym flooring” and your product image has solid alt text, you might land a spot in image search results.
3. Improves User Experience (Which Google Loves)
A well-optimized site that caters to all users (including those using screen readers) is more likely to rank higher. Google prioritizes accessibility and usability, so good alt text is a win-win.
Bonus: Alt Text vs. Title Tags – What’s the Difference?
Alt text = For accessibility and SEO.
Title tags = Shown as tooltips when you hover over an image (but don’t impact SEO much).
Example in HTML:
Final Thoughts
Alt text is a small but mighty SEO and accessibility tool. Use it correctly, and you’ll help both search engines and real people understand your images. Just remember:
✔️ Be descriptive but concise.
✔️ Use relevant keywords naturally.
✔️ Don’t stuff keywords or add unnecessary words.
