Alt Text for Images! Dos and Don'ts

Alt text for images.' dos and dont's

Alt text, also known as alternative text, is a brief description of an image that can be read by screen readers for individuals who are visually impaired. Alt text is an essential part of web accessibility and should be included with every image on your website. Here are some dos and don'ts for writing effective alt text.

Do provide a concise and accurate description of the image.

The purpose of alt text is to provide context and information about the image to those who cannot see it. Therefore, it's essential to describe the image as accurately and concisely as possible. Use descriptive words that convey the purpose and meaning of the image, and avoid being vague or overly generic.

For example, instead of writing "picture of a cat," write "a gray tabby cat sleeping on a windowsill." This description provides more detail and paints a more vivid picture for those who cannot see the image.

Do use relevant keywords.

When writing alt text, it's important to use relevant keywords that describe the content of the image. This can help improve the accessibility of your website by making it easier for search engines to crawl and index your content.

For example, if you're writing alt text for an image of a recipe, use keywords such as "recipe," "cooking," or "food." This will help search engines understand the content of your website and make it easier for users to find your content.

Do keep it short and sweet.

Alt text should be brief and to the point. Screen readers can read alt text out loud, so it's important to keep the description concise and easy to understand. Aim for 125 characters or less, and avoid using excessive punctuation or formatting.

Do include important details.

If there are important details in the image that are relevant to the content of your website, make sure to include them in the alt text. For example, if you're using an image of a chart or graph to illustrate a point, include the key data points in the alt text.

Don't include irrelevant details.

While it's important to include relevant details in the alt text, it's equally important to avoid including irrelevant details. Alt text should focus on the content and purpose of the image, rather than providing unnecessary information.

For example, if you're using an image of a person on your website, it's not necessary to include details about their appearance, such as their hair or eye color, unless it's relevant to the content of the page.

Don't use "image of" or "picture of."

Avoid using phrases such as "image of" or "picture of" in your alt text. This is redundant and provides no additional information about the image. Instead, focus on providing a concise and accurate description of the image.

Don't use generic alt text.

Avoid using generic alt text, such as "image not available" or "placeholder." This provides no information about the image and can be confusing or frustrating for users who cannot see the image.

If an image is decorative or does not add any meaningful information to the content of your website, you can use empty alt text, which is simply an empty quotation mark, to indicate that the image is not relevant to the content.

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