Alt Text

What does Alt Text mean?

Alt Text, short for "alternative text," is a descriptive text attribute used in HTML to provide a textual description of an image or other non-textual elements on a web page. The primary purpose of alt text is to make digital content, particularly images, accessible to individuals who are visually impaired or use assistive technologies such as screen readers.

When an image has alt text associated with it, it serves several important functions:

• Accessibility: Alt text ensures that people with visual disabilities can understand and interpret the content of images on a webpage. Screen readers read the alt text aloud, allowing users to comprehend the image's context or purpose.
• SEO (Search Engine Optimization): Search engines use alt text as part of their ranking algorithms. Descriptive alt text can improve the discoverability of your content in search engine results pages (SERPs).
• Broken Images: Alt text is displayed when an image fails to load. This helps users understand what the image was meant to convey, even if they can't see it.
• User Experience: Alt text provides valuable context to all users, including those who may have turned off image loading or are using text-only browsers.

When writing alt text, it's essential to be descriptive and concise. Alt text should convey the image's content, function, or purpose without being overly long or verbose. It's important to strike a balance between providing useful information and avoiding unnecessary details.

For example, if you have an image of a red apple, an appropriate alt text might be "A ripe red apple on a wooden table." This description provides context without unnecessary embellishments.