What are the best practices for providing alternative text for images and icons?

2 How to write alt text

You should write alt text that is concise, clear, and relevant to the image or icon and its purpose on the page. You should avoid repeating the information that is already provided by the text or the page title, and focus on the essential details that the user needs to know. You should also avoid using phrases like "image of" or "icon of", as they are redundant and waste the user's time. Instead, you should describe what the image or icon shows or does, using keywords that match the user's query or goal. For example, instead of writing "image of a pie chart", you could write "pie chart showing the market share of different browsers".

3 How to test alt text

Testing your alt text is essential to ensure that it is accurate, appropriate, and accessible to your target audience. To do this, you can use a screen reader or a text-only browser to check how your images and icons are read aloud or displayed. Additionally, you can use a web accessibility checker or validator to identify any errors or warnings in your alt attributes or HTML code. Furthermore, usability testing tools and feedback platforms can help you collect feedback from users with different abilities, preferences, and devices. Lastly, analytics and SEO tools can measure how your images and icons affect your site's performance, ranking, and traffic.

4 How to improve alt text

In order to improve your alt text, you should take into account the results of your testing and feedback. You can use plain language and simple sentences that are easy to understand and follow, as well as punctuation and capitalization correctly and consistently. Furthermore, you should consider using synonyms and variations to avoid repetition and monotony. Additionally, descriptive and specific terms can capture the user's attention and interest, while emotive and persuasive words can evoke feelings and actions.

5 How to optimize alt text

Optimizing your alt text can make it more effective and beneficial for your site and users. You can incorporate keywords and phrases that match the user's intent and your site's purpose, as well as modifiers and qualifiers to add value and context. Additionally, including calls to action and incentives can motivate users to click or interact with images and icons. Hashtags and mentions can also increase visibility and engagement on social media platforms, while metadata and schema markup can enhance images with additional information.