Alt text explained: better image SEO and accessibility

Alt text is a short written description of an image. It does two important jobs: it lets people using screen readers understand the image, and it helps search engines know what the image shows.

How to write good alt text

• •Describe what the image shows, simply and specifically.
• •Keep it concise — a phrase, not a paragraph.
• •Skip 'image of' — screen readers already say that.
• •Leave it empty for purely decorative images.

Why it's worth the effort

Good alt text makes your site more accessible (and reduces legal risk) and can help your images show up in image search. It's a small habit with real payoff.