Have you ever wondered why some images on websites have a description that pops up when you hover your cursor over them? That description is called ALT Text (alternative text) or Alt Attribute. ALT text plays an important role in web accessibility, SEO, and improving the user experience for those with visual impairments. In this ultimate guide, we will cover everything you need to know about ALT text/Alt attribute. From its definition, importance, and how it works to common questions and examples, by the end of this blog post, you will be a pro at ALT text. ALT text/Alt attribute is a brief description of an image that appears when an image fails to load or when a screen reader reads the page for those with visual impairments. ALT text/Alt attribute is beneficial for making images accessible to visually impaired users and also aids in search engine ranking. Why use ALT Text/Alt Attribute?ALT text/Alt attribute is essential for web accessibility, as it communicates the content of an image to those who cannot see it. It also improves SEO ranking by providing search engines with a clear description of the image’s content. Additionally, ALT text/Alt attribute is also beneficial for users on slower internet connections, as it reduces the loading time for images. How does it work?ALT text/Alt attribute works by providing a text description of the image that is read out to screen readers or shown in place of the image if the image fails to load. It should be a concise and accurate description, avoiding unnecessary adjectives, and should convey the image’s content. ExamplesSome examples of ALT text/Alt attribute are “A woman holding a dog on a leash,” “A red sports car parked in a street,” or “A group of people sitting on a wooden bench in a park.” These examples convey the content of the image in a clear and concise manner. Common Questions and AnswersShould all images have ALT text/Alt attribute?Yes, all images should have ALT text/Alt attribute. How long should ALT text/Alt attribute be?ALT text/Alt attribute should be a concise description, ideally less than 125 characters. Can ALT text/Alt attribute include keywords for SEO ranking?Yes, ALT text/Alt attribute can include relevant keywords to improve SEO ranking, but the content should remain accurate and true to the image. Can short descriptions like “image-1” or “picture” be used as ALT text/Alt attribute?No, short descriptions like “image-1” or “picture” should never be used for ALT text/Alt attribute as it doesn’t provide an accurate description of the image’s content. ALT text/Alt attribute plays a crucial role in web accessibility and SEO ranking. It provides a description of the image to those who cannot see it, and this helps in creating an inclusive website. Including ALT text/Alt attribute is easy and costless, so there are no excuses now for not putting them in your images. By implementing ALT text/Alt attribute, your website will improve its SEO ranking and the user experience for everyone, including visually impaired users. Now you know the definition, why it’s important, how it works, and some examples, so what are you waiting for? Start adding ALT text/Alt attribute to your website now! |