What Is Alt Text?
Alt text is a written description attached to an image in HTML. Screen readers may read the description aloud for people who cannot see the image. Search engines can also use the text to understand an image's subject. Effective alt text describes the image's purpose in its page context.
Quick Facts About Alt text
Category
On-page accessibility element
Used for
Image descriptions and search context
Common confusion
Alt text is not a visible caption
Also called
Alternative text, Image alt text
Often discussed with
On-Page SEO
Key Takeaways About Alt text
- Alt text belongs to an image's HTML markup.
- Describe the image's purpose within the page.
- Alt text is not the same as a caption.
How Alt text Works
Alt text sits in an image's HTML alt attribute. Assistive technology can read the attribute when a visitor cannot see the image, while a search engine can use the wording to interpret the image's role on the page. The description should match the image and its purpose.
Related glossary terms: Anchor text, User experience.
Useful wording is specific and concise. A photograph of a dentist examining a child might describe that scene if the image supports the page content. Decorative images usually need an empty alt attribute so assistive technology can skip them. A caption remains visible to most visitors and can provide context that alt text does not.
Expert Note
When we review On-Page SEO, we check whether important images have clear alt text that matches their role on the page. We also check decorative images and avoid repeating visible captions or inserting unrelated keywords. Our team considers the page context before editing each description.
Alt text in Practice: A Real-World Example
A Sydney dental clinic page might show a dentist explaining a treatment plan beside a patient. Suitable alt text could be, "Dentist explaining a treatment plan to a patient."
Related Services
Related Terms
Anchor text
Anchor text is the visible, clickable wording within a hyperlink. Anchor text describes the linked page…
User experience
User experience is the overall impression formed when a person uses a website, including how easily…
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