Should I use alt text?

May 4, 2021

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If a picture is worth a thousand words, imagine what it would be like for someone who is blind or visually impaired? An easy way to make your photos more accessible, and more optimised for SEO, is to use alt-text. It’s everywhere online. It’s on website photos and on social media posts. 

What is alt-text?

Alt-text (alternative text) describes the appearance or function of an image on a page. The purpose of alt text is to describe what an image is all about. 

Why using alt-text is important?

Alt text is important for SEO and is a key contributing search engine ranking factor because Google uses alt text as part of its search algorithm. If you don’t provide alt-text, then Google won’t show your image in searches.

It’s also used by screen readers and other assistive technologies. These tools help people who cannot see, use websites with images. These tools read out the alt-text so that people using these devices can better understand what the image means.

Lastly, it allows you to add more meaning to your pages and articles by adding descriptive words to your images.

Should I Use Alt Text
Alt text
Alt text

How to create alt-text?

When you upload any new posts to Facebook, Instagram or LinkedIn you can add your alt-text. There is a setting where you can edit your photo after you upload it.

When you add photos on your website you can include alt-text. There is a setting where you are able to include a title along with alt text.

NOTE: You can also edit past posts or images to include this.

Alt-text is important for both SEO and accessibility. Inspired to start using it but overwhelmed as to where to start?  A perfect place to start is by editing your most popular images on your website. You can easily know this by looking at your Google Analytics.  Then going ahead make it part of your posting routine.