Alt Text Term Meaning

Alt Text (Alternative Text) is a brief description added to an image’s HTML tag that provides a textual alternative for search engines and screen readers used by visually impaired users.

Detailed Explanation

Alt Text is an essential component of web accessibility and SEO. It helps search engines understand the content of an image, which can improve the website’s search ranking. For visually impaired users, Alt Text is read aloud by screen readers, providing a description of the image. Effective Alt Text should be concise, descriptive, and relevant to the image’s context. It should convey the purpose and content of the image without being overly detailed or repetitive.

Key Points

• What it is: A brief description added to an image’s HTML tag as a textual alternative.
• Why it matters: Enhances web accessibility for visually impaired users and improves SEO by helping search engines understand the image content.
• How to use it: Write concise, descriptive, and relevant Alt Text that conveys the image’s purpose and content.

Examples

1. Product Image: For an e-commerce site, an image of a red running shoe might have the Alt Text: “Red running shoe with white sole.”
2. Informational Graphic: An infographic showing the benefits of exercise might have the Alt Text: “Infographic illustrating various health benefits of regular exercise, including improved cardiovascular health and mental well-being.”

Related Terms

• SEO (Search Engine Optimization)
• Web Accessibility
• Screen Reader
• Image Optimization