How to Use the AI Alt Text Generator for Image SEO and Accessibility

Images without alt text are invisible to search engines and inaccessible to visually impaired users. Yet most websites have hundreds of images with missing or generic alt attributes. This represents a massive missed opportunity for both SEO and user experience.

Our free AI Alt Text Generator creates descriptive, SEO-optimized alt text that helps your images rank in Google Images while making your site accessible to everyone.

What is Alt Text?

Alt text (alternative text) is an HTML attribute that provides a text description of an image. It serves three critical purposes:

1. Accessibility: Screen readers read alt text aloud for visually impaired users
2. SEO: Search engines use alt text to understand and index images
3. Fallback: Displays when images fail to load

In HTML, alt text looks like:

<img src="product-photo.jpg" alt="Red leather wallet with brass zipper on white background" />

Why Alt Text Matters

Image Search Traffic

Google Images drives significant traffic. Optimized alt text helps your images appear in image search results:

Accessibility Requirements

Alt text isn't optional—it's a legal requirement in many jurisdictions:

• ADA compliance: Required for US businesses
• WCAG guidelines: Web Content Accessibility Guidelines
• Section 508: US government websites
• European Accessibility Act: EU requirements

User Experience

When images don't load (slow connections, errors, disabled images), alt text provides context so users understand what they're missing.

SEO Signals

Alt text helps search engines understand:

• What the image shows
• How the image relates to surrounding content
• Relevance to search queries

How the Generator Works

Step 1: Describe the Image

Provide details about what the image shows:

• Subject: What is the main focus?
• Action: What is happening?
• Context: Where is this taking place?
• Details: Colors, styles, notable features

Example input: "A woman using a laptop at a coffee shop, working on a spreadsheet, modern interior with plants"

Step 2: Add Target Keyword (Optional)

Include a keyword if you want SEO optimization:

• Use naturally—don't force keywords
• One keyword per image maximum
• Relevant keywords only

Good: "remote work" for a work-from-home image Bad: "best CRM software" for an unrelated stock photo

Step 3: Select Image Type

Choose the type of image for appropriate descriptions:

Step 4: Generate and Refine

Click "Generate" to receive alt text options. Each suggestion:

• Describes the image accurately
• Incorporates keywords naturally
• Stays within optimal length
• Avoids redundant phrases

Alt Text Best Practices

Be Specific and Descriptive

Vague: "Product image" Better: "Blue running shoes with white soles and orange laces"

Vague: "Team meeting" Better: "Five team members collaborating around a whiteboard with sticky notes"

Optimal Length

Most screen readers cut off at 125 characters. Be concise but complete.

Avoid These Phrases

Never start alt text with:

• "Image of..."
• "Picture of..."
• "Photo of..."
• "Graphic showing..."

Screen readers already announce "image," so this is redundant.

Include Keywords Naturally

Forced: "best SEO tools SEO software SEO platform screenshot" Natural: "Dashboard showing keyword rankings in an SEO analytics platform"

Context Matters

Describe the image's purpose, not just its content:

On a recipe page: "Finished chocolate cake with ganache frosting on white plate" On a baking tutorial: "Step 3: Spreading chocolate ganache evenly across the cake top"

Decorative Images

For purely decorative images that add no information:

• Use empty alt: alt=""
• This tells screen readers to skip the image
• Examples: design elements, spacers, purely aesthetic graphics

Alt Text for Different Image Types

Product Photos

Include:

• Product name
• Key features (color, size, material)
• What makes it unique
• Context if relevant

Example: "Handcrafted oak dining table with tapered legs and natural grain finish, seats 6"

Infographics

Include:

• Topic/subject
• Key insight or conclusion
• Type of visualization

Example: "Infographic showing 5 steps to improve website speed, from caching to image optimization"

Screenshots

Include:

• What application/website
• What it's demonstrating
• Key visible elements

Example: "Google Search Console dashboard showing organic traffic growth over 6 months"

Charts and Graphs

Include:

• Type of chart
• What data it shows
• Key takeaway

Example: "Bar chart comparing conversion rates across landing page variants, showing variant B with 25% higher conversions"

People and Portraits

Include:

• Who (if relevant)
• What they're doing
• Context

Example: "Customer service representative wearing headset, smiling while helping a client"

Stock Photos

Include:

• Scene description
• Mood or theme
• Connection to content

Example: "Business team celebrating success with high-fives in modern office"

Programmatic SEO Considerations

Template-Based Alt Text

For product or location pages at scale:

Template: "[Color] [Product Type] with [Feature] - [Brand Name]"

Generates:
- "Black leather messenger bag with brass buckle - Acme Leather"
- "Brown suede crossbody bag with silver zipper - Acme Leather"

Dynamic Alt Text Generation

For databases of products or locations:

1. Store image attributes in database
2. Generate alt text from attributes
3. Review samples for quality
4. Implement bulk updates

Quality Control at Scale

When managing thousands of images:

• Sample and review randomly
• Set minimum character thresholds
• Flag missing or generic alt text
• Audit periodically for accuracy

Category-Level Fallbacks

When specific data isn't available:

• Use category-level descriptions
• Better than empty alt text
• Update as data becomes available

Common Alt Text Mistakes

Empty Alt Text on Important Images

Problem: alt="" on meaningful images Impact: Screen reader users miss content; no SEO value Fix: Always describe images that convey information

Keyword Stuffing

Problem: "SEO tools SEO software best SEO platform for SEO" Impact: Poor user experience; potential SEO penalty Fix: One keyword, used naturally

File Names as Alt Text

Problem: alt="IMG_2847.jpg" Impact: No descriptive value for anyone Fix: Write actual descriptions

Same Alt Text for Multiple Images

Problem: All product images say "Product photo" Impact: Missed opportunity; confusing for users Fix: Unique, specific descriptions for each

Over-Describing

Problem: 300-word alt text describing every pixel Impact: Screen readers become tedious; message lost Fix: 80-125 characters with key details

Measuring Alt Text Impact

Track Image Search Traffic

In Google Search Console:

1. Go to Performance
2. Select "Search type: Image"
3. Monitor impressions and clicks
4. Track which images drive traffic

Accessibility Audits

Use tools to identify missing alt text:

• Lighthouse: Built into Chrome DevTools
• WAVE: Web Accessibility Evaluation Tool
• axe DevTools: Browser extension
• Screaming Frog: SEO crawler with alt text reports

Before/After Comparison

When improving alt text:

1. Record baseline image search traffic
2. Optimize alt text across site
3. Wait 4-6 weeks for indexing
4. Compare image search performance

Alt Text and AI Image Recognition

AI-Assisted Descriptions

Our generator uses AI to:

• Understand image context
• Suggest descriptive language
• Incorporate keywords naturally
• Follow accessibility guidelines

Human Review Still Matters

AI helps but human review ensures:

• Brand voice consistency
• Accurate product details
• Appropriate keyword use
• Accessibility compliance

Bulk Processing

For large image libraries:

1. Use AI to generate initial alt text
2. Review and approve batches
3. Train AI on corrections
4. Improve over time

Integration with Content Workflow

Build alt text into your process:

1. Image selection → Choose relevant images
2. Alt Text Generator → Create descriptions
3. Review → Verify accuracy and keywords
4. Implementation → Add to CMS/code
5. Audit → Regularly check for gaps

Get Started

Ready to improve your image SEO and accessibility? Try our free AI Alt Text Generator now.

For teams managing large image libraries, explore our full platform with bulk alt text generation and automated accessibility optimization across thousands of pages.