Google Says Alt Text Is About More Than Just Ranking
Google’s John Mueller recently reminded everyone that alt text is not mainly for SEO. It’s about making your website accessible to all users, including those with disabilities. He shared a helpful tool called the W3C Alt Text Decision Tree to guide people on how to use alt text correctly.
In simple words, he said:
“Alt text is not just for SEO. It’s about helping everyone understand your images.”
“The choice of ALT text is not primarily an SEO decision.
If you like working with structured processes, check out, bookmark, share, and use this decision tree of when & what to use as ALT text, when it comes to accessibility.”
Let’s talk about alt text. It’s not as complicated as it sounds—it’s just a way to describe images on your website. If the image doesn’t load (maybe because of slow internet), this description shows up instead. It’s also used by tools that help people who can’t see the image understand what it’s about. Think of it like telling a friend what’s in a photo when they can’t see it.
What is Alt Text?
Imagine you’re showing a friend a photo on your phone, but the photo won’t load because of slow internet. What do you do? You describe the photo to them, right? That’s exactly what alt text does. It’s a short description of an image that shows up when the image doesn’t load. It’s also used by screen readers (tools that read out web content) to help people who can’t see the image understand what it’s about.
For example, if you have a picture of a plate of biryani, the alt text could be: “A plate of spicy chicken biryani with raita.”
Why Should You Care About Alt Text?
- Helps Everyone Understand Your Images: Not everyone can see images. Some people use screen readers because they have trouble seeing. Alt text helps them “see” the image through words.
- Good for SEO (But Not the Main Goal): While alt text isn’t mainly for SEO, it does help Google understand what your image is about. This can improve your chances of showing up in image search results.
- Improves User Experience: If an image doesn’t load (thanks to slow internet), the alt text tells users what they’re missing.
How to Write Alt Text: A Simple Guide
Here’s how you can decide what to write in your alt text. Just ask yourself these questions:
- Does the image have words in it?
If yes, include those words in the alt text. For example, if the image says “Happy Diwali,” your alt text should say: “Happy Diwali text.” - Is the image a button or link?
If yes, describe what it does. For example, if it’s a “Buy Now” button, the alt text should say: “Buy Now button.” - Does the image add meaning to your content?
If yes, describe the image in a way that makes sense with your article. For example, if you’re writing about Indian festivals and have a picture of Holi, the alt text could be: “People playing Holi with colorful powders.” - Is the image just for decoration?
If yes, you can leave the alt text empty (alt=“”) or write something simple like “Decorative image.” - Still confused?
If you’re not sure, just describe the image briefly or skip it if it doesn’t add value.
Tips for Writing Alt Text for Indian Websites
- Keep It Simple: Use plain English and avoid stuffing too many keywords. For example, instead of writing “Best Indian street food pani puri Mumbai chaat snack,” you could write: “A plate of pani puri, a popular Indian street food.”
- Add Local Flavor: If your image is about something uniquely Indian, mention it! For example: “Children flying kites during Makar Sankranti.”
- Don’t Overdo It: Avoid writing long paragraphs in alt text. Keep it short and to the point.
- Test It Out: Use tools like screen readers or the Alt Text Decide-o-matic (a fun, interactive tool) to check if your alt text makes sense.
Final Thoughts
Alt text is a small but important way to make your website better for everyone. It’s not just about SEO—it’s about helping all users, including those who can’t see images, understand your content. By following these simple tips, you can make your website more inclusive and user-friendly. So, next time you add an image, take a moment to write good alt text. It’s an easy step that makes a big difference!
Quick Tip: Check out the W3C Alt Text Decision Tree to make writing alt text even easier!
