Alternative text for images

Definition

Alternative text for images, commonly known as 'alt text', is a descriptive text that is embedded in an image's HTML tag to convey the content and function of the image to users who cannot see it. This is crucial for accessibility, allowing visually impaired users who utilize screen readers to understand the purpose of the image, thereby enhancing their experience and engagement with the content.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Alt text should be concise but descriptive enough to convey the image's meaning, typically ranging from 5 to 15 words.
2. Including relevant keywords in alt text can improve SEO by helping search engines understand the image context.
3. It is important to avoid using phrases like 'image of' or 'picture of' in alt text as they are redundant; simply describe what is shown.
4. Images that are purely decorative should have empty alt attributes (alt='') to indicate that they do not add meaningful content.
5. Providing alt text is not only a best practice for accessibility but also a legal requirement in many jurisdictions, promoting inclusivity.

Review Questions

• How does alternative text enhance accessibility for users with disabilities?
  • Alternative text enhances accessibility by providing essential descriptions of images for visually impaired users who rely on screen readers. When an image is accompanied by well-written alt text, these users can gain insight into the visual content, allowing them to fully engage with the material. This practice ensures that digital content is inclusive and usable for everyone, regardless of their abilities.
• Evaluate the impact of including alternative text on search engine optimization (SEO) efforts.
  • Including alternative text in images significantly boosts search engine optimization (SEO) efforts. Search engines rely on alt text to understand the context and relevance of images within a webpage. By incorporating relevant keywords into the alt text, content creators can enhance their visibility in search results, driving more traffic to their sites while simultaneously improving the user experience for those accessing content with images.
• Synthesize the best practices for writing effective alternative text and discuss their implications for both accessibility and SEO.
  • Best practices for writing effective alternative text include being concise yet descriptive, avoiding redundant phrases, and ensuring that purely decorative images have empty alt attributes. These practices have significant implications for both accessibility and SEO. By making images more understandable for users with disabilities, organizations demonstrate their commitment to inclusivity. At the same time, optimizing alt text for search engines helps improve online visibility, making it a win-win scenario for content creators who want to reach a wider audience while maintaining accessibility standards.

Related terms

Accessibility: The practice of making content usable for people of all abilities and disabilities, ensuring everyone can access and benefit from information.

Screen Reader: A software program that enables individuals with visual impairments to read digital text by converting it into speech or braille.

Image Optimization: The process of improving the quality and load time of images on a webpage, which often includes adding alt text to enhance SEO and user experience.