Alt text

Definition

Alt text, or alternative text, is a descriptive label added to images on web pages that conveys the content and purpose of the image. It plays a crucial role in web accessibility, helping visually impaired users understand images through screen readers, and enhances SEO by providing context to search engines about the image's relevance.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Alt text should be concise, ideally under 125 characters, to ensure clarity and effectiveness for screen readers.
2. Using descriptive alt text improves the accessibility of a website and is a requirement under various accessibility standards like WCAG (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines).
3. Incorporating relevant keywords in alt text can enhance a page's SEO without compromising its primary purpose of accessibility.
4. Images that are purely decorative should have empty alt attributes (alt="") to prevent screen readers from announcing them unnecessarily.
5. Alt text can also provide context when images fail to load on a webpage, giving users an understanding of what they are missing.

Review Questions

• How does alt text enhance web accessibility for visually impaired users?
  • Alt text enhances web accessibility by providing descriptions of images for visually impaired users who rely on screen readers. When an image is included on a webpage, the screen reader reads out the alt text, allowing users to understand the visual content. This ensures that all users have equal access to information presented on websites, which is crucial for inclusivity.
• Discuss the relationship between alt text and SEO. Why is it important for web developers to use alt text effectively?
  • Alt text is important for SEO because search engines use it to understand the context and relevance of images on a webpage. By incorporating relevant keywords into the alt text, web developers can improve a site's visibility in search engine results. Additionally, effective use of alt text fulfills accessibility requirements, making it a dual-purpose tool that benefits both user experience and search rankings.
• Evaluate the impact of not using alt text on user experience and website performance in terms of accessibility and SEO.
  • Not using alt text negatively impacts user experience by creating barriers for visually impaired users who rely on screen readers for content comprehension. This omission can lead to frustration and exclusion from information presented visually. From an SEO perspective, lacking alt text means search engines cannot properly index images, resulting in missed opportunities for traffic from image searches. Overall, neglecting alt text compromises both accessibility standards and the site's potential performance in search results.

Related terms

Accessibility: The practice of making websites usable for all people, including those with disabilities, ensuring equal access to information and functionality.

SEO (Search Engine Optimization):

The process of optimizing a website to improve its visibility on search engines, which includes using relevant keywords and descriptive elements like alt text.

Screen Reader: A software application that converts digital text into speech or braille, allowing visually impaired users to access content on computers and websites.