Alt text is an HTML attribute used to describe an image on a web page. This text matters both for search engines and for people with visual impairments, since it lets them understand what the image is about.
Alt text should be concise and descriptive, and should include a description of the image and its context on the page. When you use appropriate alt text, search engines can better understand the page’s content and show more relevant results to users. On top of that, people with visual impairments can use screen readers to understand what’s on the page.
It’s important to keep in mind that alt text shouldn’t just be a list of keywords or a generic description, since that can hurt both the user experience and the quality of your SEO. Instead, alt text should be genuinely useful and relevant to the page’s content.
Alt text also matters for online ads, since it can affect the ad quality score and, as a result, the cost and visibility of your ads.
In short, alt text is a key element for improving both the accessibility and the search engine optimization of a web page. By using descriptive, relevant alt text, websites can boost their visibility in search engines while offering a more accessible experience to all users.
Key Characteristics of the Alt Attribute in Images
- Contains relevant information and accurate descriptions of the page’s content.
- Is unique and not duplicated across other pages on the website.
- Has an appropriate length, generally between 50 and 160 characters.
- Uses relevant keywords to improve visibility in search engines.
- Avoids misleading or confusing language.
- Is optimized to be readable by both people and search engines.
- Gets updated regularly to reflect changes in the page’s content.
Best Practices for Adding This Attribute to Your Website
- Use a concise, relevant description of the image.
- Include keywords related to the image in the description.
- Avoid generic descriptions like “image” or “photo.”
What Does the Alt Attribute Look Like in HTML Code?
Alt attribute example: img src=“example.jpg” alt=“A landscape with mountains and a lake on a sunny day”>
How Do I Edit the Alt Text Attribute in WordPress?
To edit the alt text of images in WordPress, follow these steps:
- Log in to your WordPress site and go to “Media.”
- Find the image you want to edit and click “Edit.”
- In the “Details” tab, you’ll find a field called “Alternative Text.”
- Enter the alt text you want to use for the image.
- Click “Update” to save the changes.
Note: If you don’t see the alt text field, make sure the image is uploaded to your WordPress site and not linked from an external source.
