How to Write Good Alt Text So Google and Real Humans Actually Benefit

What is Alt Text & Why Does It Matter?

Let’s start with the basics: alt text (alternative text) is a written description of an image that helps screen readers, search engines, and users who can’t see the image understand what it is.

If you’ve ever hovered over an image and seen a little text pop up— or had an image fail to load, leaving a text description instead— that’s alt text in action.

But here’s the problem: most people either skip alt text entirely or write it poorly.

Why Alt Text is Important for SEO & Accessibility

✅ Helps visually impaired users understand images (required for accessibility compliance)

✅ Boosts SEO by helping Google index images (hello, better rankings!)

✅ Provides context when images don’t load (so your content still makes sense)

✅ Improves user experience by making content more inclusive

Without good alt text, you’re missing out on traffic, accessibility, and a better user experience.

How to Write Good Alt Text (Step-by-Step Guide)

So, how do you write alt text that’s actually helpful and not just a list of random words? Follow this four-step process to make sure your alt text is clear, descriptive, and SEO-friendly without being spammy.

1. Be Descriptive (But Concise!)

Think about how you’d describe the image to someone who can’t see it.

🔹 Bad Alt Text: "Image of a woman."

🔹 Better Alt Text: "Woman working on a laptop in a modern coworking space."

Why? The first version is too vague. The second gives real context about what’s happening in the image.

💡 Pro Tip: Aim for 125 characters or fewer so screen readers can read it smoothly.

2. Use Keywords Naturally (Don’t Stuff Them!)

Yes, alt text helps with SEO— BUT Google hates keyword stuffing (and so do real users).

🔹 Bad Alt Text: "SEO expert writing a blog post on SEO for SEO optimization using SEO strategies."

🔹 Better Alt Text: "Digital marketer writing a blog post on how to improve website rankings."

Why? The first version reads like a robot (because it was written for a robot). The second sounds natural while still including a relevant keyword.

✅ Use keywords if they fit naturally.

❌ Don’t force them just to rank.

3. Keep It Relevant (Describe Function, Not Just Appearance)

Alt text isn’t just about what’s in the image— it’s about why it matters.

🔹 Bad Alt Text: "Green button."

🔹 Better Alt Text: "Click to download free branding guide."

Why? The second version actually tells the user what the button does, which is crucial for accessibility and SEO.

💡 Pro Tip: If an image is purely decorative (like a background texture), leave the alt text blank or use alt="" to prevent screen readers from reading unnecessary details.

4. Avoid Starting with "Image of" or "Picture of"

Screen readers already announce that it’s an image, so there’s no need to say:

❌ "Image of a wedding cake"

✅ "Three-tier white wedding cake with floral decorations."

Better alt text = more clarity, less redundancy.

Examples of Good vs. Bad Alt Text

Image Description	❌ Bad Alt Text	✅ Good Alt Text
Dog playing fetch in a park	"Dog"	"Golden retriever running through the grass chasing a tennis ball."
Woman writing in a notebook	"Image of a woman"	"Entrepreneur planning content strategy in a journal."
E-commerce checkout button	"Button"	"Complete purchase button for online checkout."
Chart showing website traffic growth	"Graph"	"Line chart displaying a 50% increase in website traffic over six months."

💡 Pro Tip: The more specific and helpful your alt text is, the better it serves your users AND your SEO.

FAQ: Common Questions About Alt Text

Q: Should every image have alt text?

A: Mostly, yes! Every meaningful image should have alt text. But decorative images (background patterns, dividers, purely aesthetic elements) can have alt="".

Q: How long should alt text be?

A: 125 characters or fewer is ideal. Long descriptions can be cut off by screen readers.

Q: Does alt text affect SEO rankings?

A: Yes! Google uses alt text to understand and rank images, which can boost your site’s visibility in Google Images and organic search.

Q: What happens if I don’t add alt text?

A:

• Users with visual impairments can’t understand your content.

• Google won’t rank your images in search results.

• If you’re in certain industries (healthcare, government, education), lack of alt text can be an ADA compliance issue.

Final Thoughts: Writing Good Alt Text is Easier Than You Think

Good alt text is clear, descriptive, and relevant— and it’s one of the simplest SEO wins you can implement.

Quick Alt Text Checklist:

✅ Describe what’s in the image (Who? What? Where? Why?)

✅ Use keywords naturally (but don’t overdo it!)

✅ Explain the function of images (especially for buttons and links)

✅ Keep it under 125 characters

✅ Skip “image of” or “picture of”

Now that you know how to write good alt text, take a few minutes to audit your website’s images and make sure they’re helping your users—and your SEO.

📌 Need help optimizing your website’s accessibility & SEO? Check out my Website Maintenance Plans for hands-on support!