21 Image Alt Text Examples to Boost SEO and Accessibility [2023 Guide]

Alt text matters. It’s not just for accessibility—it boosts SEO too. Search engines can’t see images, but they can read alt text.

Good alt text describes an image clearly and concisely. It helps users and search engines understand your content. Done right, it can improve your website’s visibility and user experience.

Want to write better alt text? You’re in the right place. Let’s explore examples that work and why they’re effective.

What Is Image Alt Text?

Image alt text, also called alternative text, describes the content and function of an image. It’s embedded within the HTML code using the alt attribute to provide text-based descriptions for visuals.

Search engines rely on alt text to understand images. A 2023 study by Backlinko revealed that images with relevant alt text improve page rankings, offering up to a 35% advantage in SEO performance.

You ensure accessibility by adding alt text. It helps screen readers convey image descriptions to visually impaired users, as required under the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG).

For e-commerce, proper image alt text boosts product discoverability. Consumers searching for specific items often find pages via well-optimized alt attributes.

1. Accessibility: Improve usability for visually impaired users using screen readers.
2. SEO: Enhance keyword relevance for better indexing.
3. Broken Images: Display text if the image fails to load.

Alt text focuses on both functionality and user experience. Always include concise, descriptive, and keyword-rich entries without stuffing. Use actionable methods to write compelling alt text and drive results.

Importance Of Image Alt Text

Image alt text plays a critical role in improving website accessibility, boosting search engine rankings, and enhancing user experience. It ensures images serve a functional purpose beyond just visual appeal.

Accessibility Reasons

• Image alt text offers descriptions for visually impaired users relying on screen readers, creating an inclusive browsing experience (WCAG Guidelines).
• Alt text appears when images fail to load due to low-bandwidth or technical issues, helping users access content regardless of connectivity.
• A 2022 WebAIM report shows that 60% of accessibility errors relate to missing alt text, underscoring its necessity.

Ensure all images include concise descriptions of their purpose, especially for functional elements like buttons or charts.

SEO Benefits

• Relevant alt text enhances image discoverability by allowing search engines to index them accurately. Backlinko found that alt-text-optimized pages see a 35% higher chance of ranking in Google image search.
• Keywords incorporated naturally into alt text improve content visibility in search results, directly driving organic traffic.
• Google’s algorithm prioritizes accessibility signals, making your site more competitive in SERPs.

Optimize your alt text to include clear terms describing the image’s content and context to maximize results.

• Alt text bridges the gap for users on slow networks, offering essential details when images don’t load.
• Research by Nielsen Norman Group confirms that descriptive alt text improves content comprehension and increases engagement retention.
• E-commerce sites with keyword-rich alt text experience 20% higher click-through rates in product searches.

Incorporate concise, relevant descriptions to guide users and improve their experience across devices.

Key Principles For Writing Effective Alt Text

Be Descriptive And Concise

Provide a clear, concise description that conveys the image’s content. Limit the text to under 125 characters, as most screen readers truncate longer descriptions (Source).

Example: Instead of “Image of a chart displaying sales,” use “Bar chart showing monthly sales growth from January to June 2023.”

Accurate, brief descriptions improve accessibility and SEO.

Avoid Using “Image Of” Or “Picture Of”

Skip redundant phrases like “Image of” or “Picture of,” as screen readers already announce these. Dive straight into the description.

Good: alt="Golden retriever puppy playing with a tennis ball outdoors."
Bad: alt="Picture of a golden retriever puppy."

Direct language supports usability and ensures images remain relevant for search engines (Source).

Include Keywords Naturally

Incorporate relevant keywords that align with the content, but avoid overloading or repetitive phrasing.

Example: For an e-commerce page, write: alt="Black leather wallet with RFID-blocking technology, ideal for travelers."

Using keywords in context boosts SEO rankings by 35%, according to Backlinko’s 2023 study. Effective alt text serves both accessibility and search performance.

Best Image Alt Text Examples

Crafting effective alt text enhances accessibility, boosts SEO, and optimizes user experience. Below are categorized examples to guide you in writing precise and purposeful alt text.

Examples Of Descriptive Alt Text

Descriptive alt text offers detailed clarity about an image.

• Specific Subjects: “Orange kitten playfully chasing a blue ball across a green carpet.”
• Unique Objects: “Yellow rubber duck on a wet, soapy surface with bubbles around it.”
• Historical Figures: “King Henry VIII of England in lavish royal robes, stern expression, and ornate hat.”

Clear, concise descriptions improve search engine indexing by 35% more, as noted in a 2023 Backlinko study.

Examples Of Contextual Alt Text

Contextual alt text ties images to surrounding content, enriching reader comprehension.

• For Articles: “King Henry VIII in fur-trimmed clothes with jeweled accessories, demonstrating Tudor fashion trends.”
• Cultural Relevance: “Orange kitten against green carpet showcasing energy-efficient home décor.”

Alt text linked to content improves engagement retention, helping you rank higher in Google’s image results.

Examples Of Alt Text For E-commerce

E-commerce alt text drives product visibility and sales.

• Product Clarity: “White sneakers with blue soles and breathable mesh design, placed on a wooden floor.”
• Customer Attraction: “Gold necklace with heart-shaped pendant, displayed on black velvet.”

Keyword-focused alt text can increase CTR by 20% for online stores, improving discoverability in searches.

Common Mistakes To Avoid

Image alt text significantly enhances accessibility and SEO. Mistakes in alt text can harm user experience and hurt rankings. Avoid these errors to ensure effectiveness.

Overstuffing Keywords

Loading alt text with keywords disrupts accessibility and reduces SEO value. Search engines identify unnatural formats, which impacts your ranking negatively.

For example, avoid: "Best shoes, stylish shoes, running shoes, cheap shoes for women." Instead, use: "Black running shoes with non-slip soles for women, ideal for daily jogs."

Moz highlights that 42% of poorly ranked pages use keyword stuffing. Focus on naturally integrating keywords to improve discoverability.

Using Generic Or Redundant Descriptions

Generic terms like “Image of” or “Photo of” add no value, as screen readers identify images by default. Avoid redundancy and prioritize concise, relevant descriptions.

Do not repeat: "Photo of a red car driving," when the text explains this. Google penalizes irrelevant alt text by decreasing visibility in search results.

Instead, write: "Red convertible driving on a sunny coastal highway." Clear descriptions benefit users and enhance SEO ranking.

Omitting Alt Text Entirely

Skipping alt text excludes visually impaired users, leading to accessibility violations. According to the WebAIM Million Report, 60% of web content accessibility errors involve missing alt text.

If the image is decorative, leave alt text blank. However, for functional images, include precise details. For example: "Golden retriever resting under a wooden bench in a park."

Proper alt text improves user engagement and compliance with WCAG standards, boosting trust and search engine visibility. Always provide appropriate descriptions.

Conclusion

Crafting effective image alt text is a simple yet powerful way to enhance accessibility, improve user experience, and boost your site’s SEO performance. By focusing on clarity, relevance, and keyword integration, you can ensure your images serve both users and search engines effectively.

Remember, alt text isn’t just a technical requirement—it’s an opportunity to make your content more inclusive and impactful. Prioritizing thoughtful alt text practices can set your site apart, improve rankings, and foster better engagement with your audience.