Every image on the internet should have what is called “alt text.” Alt text is a short description of an image that is displayed in place of the image if it can’t be displayed for some reason. This might happen if the user is using a screen reader because they are slow internet speed, or if the image file is corrupted and can’t be displayed.
Alt text is important for several reasons. Firstly, it allows people with a low-spec computer to understand what an image is about. Secondly, it helps search engines like Google to understand what an image is about, which can help your website rank higher in search results. Finally, it can help improve the overall usability of your website.
The benefits of using image alt text for accessibility
Image alt text is the text that appears in place of an image on a web page if the image fails to load on a user's screen. This text is important for two main reasons: accessibility and search engine optimization (SEO).
Alt text is important for accessibility because it allows users who are blind or have low vision to understand what is on a web page. Screen readers, which are software programs that read web page content aloud, use alt text to describe images to users.
Alt text is also important for SEO because it tells search engines what an image is about. When you include keywords in your alt text, it can help your website rank higher in search results.
Overall, using alt text for images is a good practice for both accessibility and SEO.
How to write good image alt text
Good image alt text should be short, but descriptive enough to give the reader a clear idea of what the image is showing. It should also be relevant to the surrounding context and use keywords that accurately describe the image.
Here are some tips for writing good image alt text:
- Keep it brief - no more than a few words.
- Make it relevant - describe what is happening in the image and how it relates to the rest of the page content.
- Use keywords - choose words that accurately describe the subject matter of the image.
- Use the same keywords as in the surrounding content - make sure that your image alt text uses the same keywords as your page. If a page is about "white teacups", for example, then use that phrase in your alt text.
- Avoid using generic words - if you use generic words such as "photo" or "image", then that text will be repeated on all your pages, which is not useful.
Conclusion
When it comes to online content, the importance of image alt text cannot be overstated. Not only is it crucial for accessibility purposes, but it can also impact your site's search engine optimization (SEO).
Image alt text provides a textual alternative for users who are unable to see the image. This is important for those with visual impairments, as well as anyone who may be viewing your site in a low-bandwidth situation.
In addition to being accessible, image alt text can also help boost your SEO. Search engines index the text within images, so including keywords in your alt text can help improve your site's ranking.
Overall, image alt text is an essential component of any online content strategy.
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