Question 1

What is alt text?

Accepted Answer

Alt text (alternative text) is an HTML attribute that describes the content of an image. It is used by screen readers for accessibility and by search engines to understand what an image shows. It also appears when an image fails to load.

Question 2

Does alt text matter for SEO?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Alt text helps Google understand your images, which supports image search rankings and provides context for the page content. It is also essential for web accessibility, which indirectly supports user experience signals.

Question 3

Should every image have alt text?

Accepted Answer

Content images should always have descriptive alt text. Purely decorative images (borders, spacers) can use empty alt text (alt='') to indicate they should be ignored by screen readers. Never omit the alt attribute entirely.

Question 4

Can empty alt text be valid?

Accepted Answer

Yes, for decorative images. Setting alt='' (empty string) tells screen readers to skip the image. This is appropriate for visual decorations that do not convey content. But informative images should always have descriptive alt text.

Question 5

How do I write good alt text?

Accepted Answer

Describe what the image shows in 5 to 15 words. Be specific and concise. Include relevant keywords naturally but do not stuff keywords. Write as if you are describing the image to someone who cannot see it.

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