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What is Alt Text? Accessibility and SEO Benefits

When we think about SEO, it’s easy to get caught up in keywords and rankings. However, sometimes the most effective practices are the simplest ones. Alt text is a perfect example. Originally created to improve accessibility, alt text also supports SEO directly.

What is Alt Text

graphic with teal headline reading “What is Alt Text. A short written description of an image. Created for accessibility, also helpful for SEO"

Alt text, short for “alternative text,” is a written description added to images. It was created so screen readers can turn visuals into words, making websites more accessible to people who are blind or low vision.

Why Alt Text Matters for Accessibility

graphic with teal headline reading “Accessibility: Why Alt Text Matters” and black text explaining that alt text helps screen readers describe images, making content more inclusive

Beyond being a technical requirement, alt text is about inclusion. It ensures everyone can understand what’s on a page, no matter how they access it. Adding descriptions makes content more welcoming and usable for real people.

How Alt Text Supports Accessibility & SEO

graphic with teal headline reading “SEO: A Bonus Benefit” and black text explaining that search engines read alt text, so clear descriptions can boost rankings

Search engines also read alt text. Because they can’t see images, they rely on these descriptions to understand visuals and their context. Writing clear, natural alt text gives your site a better chance to appear in searches, turning a small practice into a meaningful SEO boost.

Best Practices for Writing Alt Text

graphic with teal headline reading “Best practice: Keep It Simple” and black text encouraging readers to write alt text like they are describing a photo to a friend

Alt text is a practice that brings real value on both sides: it makes content more inclusive for people and easier to understand for search engines. By keeping your descriptions simple and natural, you’re helping people, search engines, and your content all at once.

Small Step, Big Impact

By writing alt text for accessibility and SEO together, you’re future-proofing your content. If you’re not sure where to start, remember this rule of thumb: write alt text as if you were describing the photo to a friend. Short, clear, and natural is always the way to go.

Want more basics? Peek at my Keywords 101 guide for another SEO essential ✨

For more accessibility standards, see the W3C Web Accessibility Guidelines

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graphic with teal headline reading “Accessibility: Why Alt Text Matters” and black text explaining that alt text helps screen readers describe images, making content more inclusive

Also known as “alternative text,” it was designed to help screen readers describe images for people who are blind or low vision. At its core, it’s about accessibility and making sure everyone can understand what’s on a page, no matter how they access it. That’s why alt text isn’t just a technical box to tick, it’s a way to make your content more inclusive for real people