What Is Alt Text?
Alt text is a short, descriptive text assigned to web page images. It serves several important purposes:
- Accessibility: It helps visually impaired users understand the content of images when using screen readers.
- SEO: Search engines use alt text to index images, improving the website’s search engine ranking.
- Image Loading: If an image fails to load, the alt text provides context about what the image represents.
For example, an image of a red apple might have the alt text: “A ripe red apple on a white background.” This description helps ensure all users, including those with visual impairments, understand the image’s content.
What’s The Purpose of ALT Text?
- Accessibility: It helps visually impaired users understand the content of images by providing a description that screen readers can read aloud. This makes web content more accessible to everyone.
- SEO: Search engines use alt text to index and understand images, which can improve the website’s search engine rankings. Properly described images can help drive more organic traffic to the site.
- Image Loading: If an image fails due to a slow connection or an error, it provides a textual description of the image, ensuring users still get the intended information.
- Context and Clarity: It offers additional context to all users, enhancing their comprehension of the content, especially when images are unclear or complex.
Why Is Alt Text Important In SEO And Social Media?
It is pivotal in both SEO and social media. It enhances accessibility for visually impaired users and aids search engine indexing. In SEO, it provides search engines context about images, potentially boosting website rankings. Similarly, on social media, it ensures inclusivity and can enhance engagement by offering additional context for images. It is a fundamental component of digital content strategy, facilitating accessibility and improving user experience.
Check out some other terms you may encounter in the Creator economy here.
