Image Alt Text Archives /Tag

5 Common Image Alt Text Mistakes
If you’re a website owner, developer, or content creator, you’ve probably heard about the importance of alt text for images. Alt text, short for alternative text, is crucial for web accessibility. It helps people with visual impairments understand what’s in the images on your site, using screen readers. It also has SEO benefits, helping search engines understand and index your images. However, writing good alt text isn’t always straightforward. Here are some common mistakes people make and how to avoid them.

1.Some Images Should Use an Empty Alt Attribute

One of the most common mistakes is thinking every image needs alt text. Not all images require detailed descriptions. Decorative images, like those used purely for design or spacing, should use an empty alt attribute (alt=””). This tells screen readers to skip these images, preventing unnecessary clutter for users.

For instance, if you have a decorative border or a purely aesthetic icon, you don’t need to describe it. Including alt text for these elements can overwhelm users with information and make their browsing experience frustrating. Always ask yourself if the image conveys essential information. If not, it’s a good candidate for an empty alt attribute.

2.Context Matters

Context is everything when it comes to writing alt text. The same image might need different alt text depending on where and how it’s used. For example, a picture of a dog on a veterinary website might need different alt text than the same picture on a pet adoption site.

Let’s say you have an image of a golden retriever. On a veterinary site, the alt text might be “Golden retriever receiving a check-up at the vet.” On a pet adoption site, it could be “Golden retriever available for adoption.” The context gives users the specific information they need based on where they are and what they’re looking for.

3.Screen Readers and Search Engines Already Know That It’s an Image

Another mistake is being redundant in alt text. Screen readers and search engines already know the element is an image, so you don’t need to start with “Image of…” or “Picture of…”. Jump straight into the description.

Instead of saying, “Image of a woman using a laptop,” just say, “Woman using a laptop.” This makes your alt text more concise and easier for screen readers to process. Remember, simplicity and clarity are key.

4.Write Alt Text as Simple Sentences

Good alt text is clear and straightforward. Using simple sentences helps ensure that everyone can understand your descriptions, including those using screen readers. Avoid complex phrases and jargon that could confuse users.

For example, if you have a photo of a sunset, instead of saying, “A stunningly beautiful sunset with hues of orange and pink casting a magnificent glow over the tranquil sea,” you could say, “Sunset over the sea with orange and pink colors.” Simple, right? It’s all about making the information as accessible as possible.

5.Don’t Repeat Captions in Alt Text

If your image already has a caption, don’t just copy and paste it into the alt text. Alt text and captions serve different purposes. Captions are visible to all users and often provide context or additional information, while alt text is specifically for those who can’t see the image.

For instance, if you have a caption that says, “John Doe speaking at the annual tech conference,” the alt text could be “John Doe at a podium,” giving a brief description without repeating the same information. This way, you enhance the user’s understanding without redundancy.

The Importance of Web Accessibility

Web accessibility is about making the internet usable for everyone, including people with disabilities. Alt text plays a significant role in this effort. By providing descriptive alt text, you ensure that all users, regardless of their abilities, can access the information on your site.

Accessible websites don’t just benefit those with disabilities. They can improve the overall user experience, increase your audience reach, and even boost your SEO. Search engines like Google use alt text to understand what images are about, which can help your site rank better in search results.

Practical Tips for Writing Good Alt Text

Here are some practical tips to help you write better alt text:
1. Be Descriptive but Concise: Aim for a balance between being detailed and keeping it short. Generally, 125 characters is a good length to shoot for.
2. Focus on What’s Important: Describe the most important aspects of the image. Think about what information the user needs to understand the image in the context of the content.
3. Avoid Redundancy: As mentioned, don’t use phrases like “image of” or repeat the caption.
4. Use Proper Grammar and Punctuation: Even though alt text might seem less formal, proper grammar and punctuation help with clarity.
5. Think About the User’s Experience: Always consider how a user relying on a screen reader will interpret your alt text. Will it provide the necessary information in a clear and straightforward manner?
Common Scenarios and Examples

To make things clearer, let’s look at some common scenarios and examples of good alt text.

Scenario 1: Product Images

If you’re running an e-commerce site, your product images need good alt text. For a photo of a red dress, a good alt text might be “Red cocktail dress with ruffle sleeves.” This description is concise and gives potential buyers the information they need.

Scenario 2: Infographics

Infographics can be tricky because they often contain a lot of information. A good approach is to summarize the key points. For example, if your infographic shows the steps of a process, the alt text might be “Infographic showing 5 steps to start a blog: Choose a platform, Pick a domain, Set up hosting, Design your site, Publish content.”

Scenario 3: Event Photos

For event photos, focus on who, what, where, and when. An image from a company event might have alt text like “CEO Jane Smith speaking at the annual company meeting in June 2023.”

Conclusion

Writing effective alt text is an essential skill for anyone managing a website. It’s not just about ticking a box for accessibility; it’s about making your content accessible and useful for everyone. By avoiding common mistakes like over-describing, repeating captions, or using complex sentences, you can create a better experience for all users.

Remember, the goal of alt text is to provide essential information to those who can’t see the image. Keep it simple, relevant, and in context, and you’ll be well on your way to making your website more accessible and inclusive. Web accessibility isn’t just a legal requirement; it’s a way to show that you care about all your users, making your site more welcoming to everyone.

At 216digital, our expert team can assist you in developing a strategy to make this journey of WCAG 2.1 compliance as smooth as possible. Contact us today to schedule a complementary ADA Strategy Briefing so that you can confidently take this next step into digital accessibility.
Greg McNeil

July 15, 2024

How-to Guides

Accessibility, Alt text, digital accessibility, Image Alt Text, Website Accessibility
Does Your Image Need Alt Text to be Web Accessible?
Images are the bread and butter for any website. You put a lot of time and effort into creating engaging visual content for your audiences. But that’s only half of the battle — making your content accessible to as many people as possible is the other half.

Despite the accelerated pace of the digital era, many businesses and organizations still lag behind in making their websites accessible to people with disabilities. This is partly due to the lack of awareness and/or technical knowledge of different web accessibility barriers and how to solve them.

What happens when your users have visual impairments? How do they receive and understand this visual information?

In this article, we answer one of the most commonly asked questions — does my image need alt text to be web accessible?

Image Types And Alternative Text

Before we analyze an image for web accessibility, we must first take a step back and think about its purpose. Is it to inform, evoke emotion, serve as a link, or just for visual appeal?

To understand how to make the image accessible for users with assistive technologies (AT) like screen readers, ask:
- “What is the message the image is trying to convey?”
- “Is the message simple or complex, emotional or actionable?”
An online tool like an image decision tree can help categorize your image. Or, think about if the image disappeared. Would you still understand the content’s meaning without it?

If the answer is yes, the image is purely decorative. However, the image is necessary if the image provides the user with valuable information and context.

Once you determine what kind of image you are working with, there are some basic web accessibility guidelines to consider.

Decorative Images

There is a lot to consider when it comes to decorative images. If you find yourself saying, “But what about X? or “How about Y?” you might need to reevaluate your image as it might not be decorative.

One of the most challenging images to categorize tends to fall in the “emotional” or “mood” category since these images are more subjective. What one person considers decorative, another might consider informative. So, use your best judgment.

Hiding Decorative Images

While decorative images can enhance visual appeal, they don’t convey any meaningful information. If the image is decorative, then programmatically, the image needs to be hidden from assistive technology.

There are several ways to hide alternative text, including using empty or null alt (alt=””), using ARIA role=” presentation”, or implementing the image as a CSS background. This will signal the AT device to ignore this image as it is not vital to understanding the content.

However, it’s important to note that an empty or null alternative text attribute is not the same as a missing attribute. If the alternative text attribute is missing, the AT device might read the file name or surrounding content instead to provide the user with more information about the image.

While aria-hidden= “true” is an option, be cautious, as it will remove the entire element from the accessibility API.

Informative Images

If you decide your image is informative, there are a lot more things to consider. Visually impaired individuals often rely on screen readers to navigate the web. These devices read out textual content, but they can’t “see” images. To bridge this gap, we must have programmatically-discernible alternative text within the website’s HTML.

Alt text is a brief description that conveys the essential information of an image. But having alternate text is not enough — it must also be meaningful. For example, the alt text for a picture of a woman baking might be” Woman baking” — does that convey the whole message? Instead, the alt text should be “Racheal Ray preparing chocolate chip cookies.”

Of course, AT users will have to listen to your alternative text, so do not go overboard. While your descriptions should paint a vivid picture for the user, limiting the number of characters to only 150 is best practice. If you need to add more context to the image, you can use other, more descriptive methods to add more detail.

To learn more about writing alt text, check out our blog post, Understanding Image Alt Text Descriptions.

Charts, Graphs, and Other Complex Images

Sometimes written copy is part of an image, such as in the case of charts, graphs, or diagrams. These images contain too much information to fit into an alt-text description. Instead, you need two parts to describe them. The first part is a short description to identify the image and, if required, the location of the long description. A long description is a textual representation of the essential information conveyed by the image.

Description Containing Structured Information

We can use the <figure> and <figcaption> to associate visible text with an image. When using <figure> and <figcaption>, the alt attribute can be more minimal, and the <figcaption> can be more expressive.

This approach provides a link next to the image that will send the user to a separate web page or a section containing a more detailed description of the image. However, the link text must clarify the destination and associate it with the image. The <figure> and <figcaption> elements can also be used for groups of images.

To identify the complex image, we can also provide accessible names to the image programmatically using the aria-describedby attribute. AT devices will ignore the image’s alt text when these attributes are present and read the ARIA label instead without forcing the users to leave the page. However, this approach can only work if the long description is text-only and does not require structural information.

Meeting Image Accessibility Standards

In an increasingly digital world, ensuring that every user, irrespective of their ability, can access and understand your content is paramount. Ignoring the significant segment of people with disabilities is not only a detriment to your brand’s inclusivity but also a missed opportunity for engagement and growth.

Partnering with 216digital takes the complexity out of the equation, providing expert guidance, tools, and techniques tailored to your needs. We understand that every aspect of your site requires thoughtful consideration, and we’re ready to assist you every step of the way. Don’t leave your web accessibility to chance; schedule a Complimentary ADA Strategy Briefing with our team today, and let us help you make your site truly accessible for everyone.
Greg McNeil

August 10, 2023

How-to Guides, WCAG Compliance

Accessibility, ADA Compliance, ADA Website Compliance, Alt text, Image Alt Text, Website Accessibility
Understanding Image Alt Text Descriptions
Even though digital transformation is progressing rapidly, many online businesses still lag behind in making their websites accessible to people with disabilities. This is partly due to a lack of awareness or technical knowledge of different accessibility issues and how to solve them.

In this article, we will cover one of the most common accessibility barriers — providing alternative text descriptions for images. When done correctly, alt text can paint a complete picture for people who cannot perceive images visually. Unfortunately, many content creators and developers forget to provide alt text or write something that doesn’t quite hit the mark.

So, what exactly is Image Alt Text, and how should you integrate it into your website?

What is Alt Text?

Image alt text, also called image alternative text descriptions, is the written copy that appears in place of an image on a website if the image fails to load on a user’s screen. This text can also help screen-reading tools describe images to visually impaired users and allows search engines to better crawl your website.

Alt text should be brief but vivid enough to clarify the image’s content to someone listening to the description. This includes any information contained within graphs or charts. Well-written alt text doesn’t just describe a photo but also communicates its purpose and context.

But how do you add alt text to images?

How to Add Alt Text to Your Images?

Image Alt Text is the descriptive text that is included in a website’s foundational HTML code to describe an image on a webpage.

However, adding Alt Text to images varies slightly depending on your web-building platform. Generally, when you upload a photo, there should be an ‘Alt Text’ or ‘Alt Description’ field where you can input your description.

For HTML users, you can add Alt Text to an image by including the ‘alt’ attribute within the ‘img’ tag:
```
<img src="example.jpg" alt="A description of the image">
```
Suppose you use a Content Management System (CMS) like WordPress. In that case, there’s a designated field for image optimization where you can create and change the image’s alt text.

When Should I Use Alt Text?

According to the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C), all images must have a text alternative that describes their function or the information they represent. However, that doesn’t mean every image should be treated the same.

Follow these rules when writing alt text:

1. Images of Text

Does the image contain text?

If readable text is presented within an image, the text alternative must contain every word in the image. However, it’s essential to mention images with text should be avoided, except in the case of logos.

2. Functional Images

Is the image used in a link or a button, and would it be hard to understand the function if it wasn’t there?

Suppose an image is used as a link or button. In that case, the alt text must describe the functionality and destination, if it doesn’t already from the text or graphical content. For instance, a button to “download in App Store” image link would have an alternative text description stating: “Click here to download the Bittrex app on the App Store.”

3. Informative Images

Does the image contribute meaning to the current page or context?

Informative images are images or illustrations that convey vital information to the context of information surrounding them. The text alternative for these images should include the image’s essential information. The description should be colloquial as if you are explaining it to someone sitting next to you. For example, suppose an image is of a truck driving. In that case, the alternative text should state: “A truck driving over rough terrain”.

However, complex images such as infographics or diagrams used to convey data or detailed information should have a complete text equivalent to the data or information provided in the infographic or chart.

4. Decorative Images

Is the image purely decorative or not intended for the user?

If an image’s only purpose is to add visual decoration, it does not require alt text. However, the image must then be explicitly marked as presentational so that it is ignored by screen reading software. It must still have an alt attribute, so give it “null” alt text, which is an alt attribute with no value, as seen below:
```
<img src=”../img.jpg” alt=”” />
```
Need help with how to treat a specific image? The W3C has developed an alt text decision tree to help you determine the right approach depending on the image’s purpose.

Image Alt Text Best Practices

Ultimately, image alt text needs to be specific and representative of the topic it supports. Just adding alt text isn’t enough. It’s essential to ensure it’s effective.

Here are some best practices to follow:

Describe an Image and Be Specific

Alt Text should accurately represent the content and function of an image. Use both the image’s subject and context to guide you. For example, instead of writing “dog” for an image, use a more specific description such as “A golden retriever playing fetch in the park.”

Avoid Redundancy

It might seem like a helpful cue, but remember not to include phrases like “picture of” or “image of” in your alt text. Screen readers and Search Engines will know from the preceding HTML tag to announce the alt text as an image. Including these phrases in your description will only disrupt the user’s experience and waste valuable characters.

Write for People, Not Search Engines

Many content creators make the mistake of trying to stuff keywords into their site’s alt text. While it’s true that alt text can contribute to SEO, your priority should be accessibility and user experience. If you can naturally fold a keyword into your alt text, excellent. But don’t fall into the trap of treating alt text like an SEO tool.

Review for Spelling Errors and Punctuation

Like all website content, proper punctuation makes information easier to understand. Ensure that your alt text is free of mistakes for a professional and clear description.

In addition, when hiding decorative images, you should be aware of spacing when using a null or empty alt text. If there is a space between the quotes, assistive technologies may still pick it up as alt text, confusing the user.

Image Alt Text Example

Alt text that doesn’t appropriately describe the image and its purpose could prove detrimental or puzzling to website users relying on assistive technology.

Follow alt-text best practices, and you’ll get a feel for what needs to be said. A more detailed description may be beneficial. However, there are instances when it can be redundant. Consider the example below.

Bad Alt Text
```
<img src= "example.jpg" alt="a city's bridge at night">
```
The line of alt text above is technically descriptive — but it does not describe the image in a meaningful way for the user. Yes, the photo above shows a city’s bridge, and it is night. But this is also a picture of Cleveland, Ohio — and the Detroit-Superior Bridge. These are essential specifics that your users might need to comprehend the image if it’s on, say, a blog post about Cleveland landmarks.

Good Alt Text

With context in mind, a better alt text for this image might be:
```
<img src= "example.jpg" alt="Cleveland Ohio's Detroit-Superior Bridge at night">
```
Why is Image Alt Text Important?

We’ve already alluded to several reasons why image alt text is essential. However, understanding these reasons will help you write the best alt text possible for your users. Below we’ll look at the significant reasons image alt text is essential.

Web Accessibility and User Experience

Image alt tags allow screen reader users to understand what is happening on a webpage besides the written basic text. Images may be the only form of instruction for some websites or other digital assets. Without alt text, these users may miss out on the information conveyed through images, affecting their overall site experience. It is, therefore, a key component in meeting the World Wide Web Consortium (WCAG) success criteria for image alternative text descriptions.

Ignoring these standards could lead to potential legal consequences due to non-compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Such non-compliance limits your website’s audience reach and could result in lawsuits or hefty fines. Hence, incorporating alt text in your website design is an inclusive practice and a legal imperative.

Search Engine Optimization

Search engines like Google, unable to visually understand images, rely on Alt Text to determine their content. This information helps them provide relevant results for image searches, significantly boosting your website’s visibility.

However, while Alt Text can contribute to SEO, it should not be used to manipulate search rankings by overstuffing keywords. Google can penalize such practices, leading to a decrease in your overall SEO performance.

Learn more about Web Accessibility and SEO Optimization: A Powerhouse Combination.

Take the Next Steps Toward Accessibility

In a digital era where inclusivity and accessibility are of utmost importance, alt text is a vital tool for website owners and developers. If, until now, you were not aware of the importance of image alt text, don’t stress! You can add these elements at any time to increase the accessibility of your website.

If you’d like to talk further about your web accessibility initiative, Schedule a Complimentary ADA Strategy Briefing with the experts at 216digital. We will help you take the steps towards web accessibility on your terms by developing a strategy to integrate WCAG 2.1 compliance into your development roadmap.

Remember, alt text is not just an option—it’s an essential step in building a successful and accessible online presence.
Greg McNeil

July 10, 2023

How-to Guides

Accessibility, ADA Compliance, ADA non-compliance, ADA Website Compliance, Alt text, Image Alt Text, Website Accessibility, Website Accessibility Tools

5 Common Image Alt Text Mistakes

1.Some Images Should Use an Empty Alt Attribute

2.Context Matters

3.Screen Readers and Search Engines Already Know That It’s an Image

4.Write Alt Text as Simple Sentences

5.Don’t Repeat Captions in Alt Text

The Importance of Web Accessibility

Practical Tips for Writing Good Alt Text

Common Scenarios and Examples

Scenario 1: Product Images

Scenario 2: Infographics

Scenario 3: Event Photos

Conclusion

Does Your Image Need Alt Text to be Web Accessible?

Image Types And Alternative Text

Decorative Images

Hiding Decorative Images

Informative Images

Charts, Graphs, and Other Complex Images

Description Containing Structured Information

Meeting Image Accessibility Standards

Understanding Image Alt Text Descriptions

What is Alt Text?

How to Add Alt Text to Your Images?

When Should I Use Alt Text?

1. Images of Text

2. Functional Images

3. Informative Images

4. Decorative Images

Image Alt Text Best Practices

Describe an Image and Be Specific

Avoid Redundancy

Write for People, Not Search Engines

Review for Spelling Errors and Punctuation

Image Alt Text Example

Why is Image Alt Text Important?

Web Accessibility and User Experience

Search Engine Optimization

Take the Next Steps Toward Accessibility