Alt text
TL;DR
Alt text (alternative text) is the description attached to an image, crucial for accessibility and for how search engines understand the image.
Alt text serves three purposes: screen readers for blind users, context when an image fails to load, and semantics for search engines. For Google Images and AI engines analysing visual content, alt text is a direct meaning source. Write factually and descriptively — no keyword stuffing.
Example
Bad: alt="SEO SEO Breda SEO agency". Better: alt="Paul Brock of Webrock Media in conversation with client about SEO strategy".
Frequently asked questions
Does every image need alt text?
Yes, except purely decorative images — those get an empty alt (alt=""), not omitted.
Related terms
Further reading
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