In the world of website design and development, there are a few key elements that are always worth taking the time to understand. One of these is ALT text or alternate text. This little-known but crucial element can make a big difference for your website and its users. In this blog post, we’ll take a closer look at what ALT text is, why it’s important, and how you can use it to enhance your website.
What is a ALT Text
Alt text is a form of description used to provide context for images, videos, or other media. It helps users who have visual impairments or those who may struggle to properly understand what is being presented. Alt text can also be used for search engine optimization (SEO).
When creating alt text, it’s important to keep a few things in mind:
- Keep it short and sweet. Alternate text should only be a few words long.
- Be specific. Alt text should describe the exact contents of the image.
- Use keywords wisely. As with all forms of SEO, use keywords thoughtfully and sparingly to avoid being penalized by search engines.
Here’s an example of good alt text:
Alt text: A close-up of a chocolate chip cookie.
In this example, the alt text is short, specific, and uses keywords (chocolate chip cookie) wisely.
Bad alt text, on the other hand, would be something like this:
Alt text: A delicious treat.
This alt text is too general and doesn’t provide enough information about the contents of the image. Alt text is an important part of creating accessible content. When used correctly, it can help everyone understand and enjoy your content, regardless of ability.
Why is ALT Text Important?
Alt text is important because it allows people who are blind or have visual impairments to understand what is happening in an image. Alt text is also used by search engines to index images, so it’s important to include keywords in your alt text that describe the content of the image.
Including alt text is also important for accessibility purposes. When images are added to a web page, it helps screen readers describe the image to visually impaired users. Alt text can help users understand what an image is about even if they cannot see it.
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