Images are a fundamental part of the internet, providing visual interest, aiding in understanding complex ideas, and enhancing user engagement. However, to ensure that these visuals are accessible to everyone, including those with visual impairments or connectivity issues, we have alt text. Here’s everything you need to know about this crucial web feature:

What is Alt Text?

Alt text, short for “alternative text,” is a textual description embedded in the HTML code of an image. It’s designed to convey the essence of an image to users who cannot view it. When an image fails to load or when a user employs assistive technologies like screen readers, alt text steps in to describe the image’s content or function.

The Importance of Alt Text

Enhancing Accessibility:

• Alt text is vital for individuals who rely on screen readers to navigate the web. It provides them with the context or information that visually-oriented users would gain from the image.
• Good alt text practices can help websites comply with accessibility laws, such as the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), avoiding potential legal issues and promoting digital equity.

Improving SEO:

• Search engines use alt text to understand and index images, which can significantly boost your site’s visibility in image search results.
• By including relevant keywords in your alt text, you can enhance your site’s SEO, but it’s important to avoid ‘keyword stuffing’, which can lead to penalties from search engines.

When to Use Alt Text

Not all images require alt text, and understanding when to apply it is key:

• Informative Images: These are images that convey information or illustrate concepts. Your alt text should describe what the image is showing in a way that’s contextually relevant.
  • Example: An image of a product could have alt=”Eco-friendly bamboo toothbrush”.
• Decorative Images: If an image adds no meaningful content or context, use an empty alt attribute (alt=””) to tell assistive technologies to ignore it.
• Functional Images: When an image serves as a control like a button or link, the alt text should explain its function, not just describe the image.
  • Example: alt=”Download the report” for a download button image.
• Images with Text: If an image displays text, the alt text should replicate that text for accessibility.
  • Example: For an image saying “Welcome to Our Store”, use alt=”Welcome to Our Store”.
• Complex Images: For diagrams, charts, or infographics, alt text might need to be more detailed or supplemented with a link to a text description.
• Groups of Images: When several images work together to convey a single idea or process, one image’s alt text should describe the collective meaning.
• Image Maps: For images with multiple clickable areas, each area should have its own descriptive alt text, while the overall image might have alt text describing the map’s purpose.

Best Practices for Writing Alt Text

• Brevity: Keep alt text concise, typically under 140 characters, to ensure it’s not burdensome for screen readers to convey.
• Clarity: Be clear and descriptive but avoid redundancy with surrounding text.
• Relevance: Ensure the alt text is relevant to the content of the image and the page.

Tools for Alt Text Management

• Chrome Accessibility Report: A quick check within Google Chrome to verify alt text usage.
• Alt Text Tools: Online or plugin tools that can generate reports on your site’s images, highlighting those without alt text or needing improvement.
• Equalize Digital Accessibility Checker: A comprehensive tool that not only checks for alt text but also for other accessibility features, with community support for further learning.

Conclusion

Alt text is more than just a technical detail; it’s a bridge to inclusivity, ensuring that your website is available to as broad an audience as possible. By taking the time to craft thoughtful alt text, you’re not only adhering to best practices for web design but also enhancing your site’s SEO and user experience. Remember, a more accessible internet is a better internet for everyone.