What is Alt Text and Why is it Important
Alt text (alternative text) is the descriptive text added to images using the alt attribute in HTML. It provides meaning and context for images when they cannot be seen or loaded.
Accessibility – Screen readers read alt text aloud so that visually impaired users can understand the purpose of an image.
Fallback Content – If an image fails to load due to slow internet or errors, the alt text is displayed instead.
SEO Benefits – Search engines use alt text to understand what an image represents, which can improve search rankings and image search visibility.
Usability – Helps clarify the meaning of icons or images used as buttons or links (e.g., a search icon with alt text 'Search').
Good alt text is concise, descriptive, and communicates the essential purpose of the image. Purely decorative images can have empty alt attributes (alt="") so they are ignored by screen readers.
- <img src="bar-chart.png" alt="Bar chart showing monthly sales growth">
<img src="logo.png" alt=""> <!-- Decorative image, no description needed -->