Alt Text

Alt text, also known as alternative text, is a written description of an image that is used by screen readers to convey the information in the image to visually impaired users. It is an important part of making a website accessible to all users, regardless of their ability.

Why is Alt Text important?

Alt text is important for several reasons. First, it provides a way for visually impaired users to access the information in an image. Without alt text, screen readers will not be able to describe the image to the user, and they will miss out on important information. Second, alt text can help improve the search engine optimization (SEO) of a website. Search engines use alt text to understand the content of an image, and they can use this information to rank the website higher in search results.

How to write good Alt Text

There are a few things to keep in mind when writing alt text for images. First, the alt text should be concise and informative. It should describe the image in a way that is clear and easy to understand. Second, the alt text should be specific. It should not be too general, such as "image of a cat", or too specific, such as "image of a black and white cat sitting on a windowsill". Third, the alt text should be relevant to the content of the image. It should not be misleading or irrelevant.

Examples of good Alt Text

Here are a few examples of good alt text for images:

• Alt text for an image of a cat: A black and white cat is sitting on a windowsill, looking out the window.
• Alt text for an image of a tree: A tall oak tree with green leaves is standing in a field.
• Alt text for an image of a sunset: A beautiful sunset over the ocean.

Alt Text and Online Courses

There are many ways to learn about alt text. One popular option is to take an online course. There are many different online courses available, and they can teach you everything you need to know about alt text, from the basics to more advanced topics. Some of the best courses also teach about the principles of web accessibility more broadly. Here are a few examples of some online courses on alt text to get you started:

• Fundamentals of Document Accessibility
• Web Accessibility: A Beginner's Guide
• Alt Text and Image Descriptions: A Comprehensive Guide

These courses are a great way to learn about alt text and web accessibility. They can help you improve the accessibility of your website and make it more inclusive for all users.

Conclusion

Alt text is an important part of making a website accessible to all users. It is a simple and effective way to provide information about images to visually impaired users, and it can also help improve the SEO of a website. If you are not already using alt text on your website, I encourage you to start today. It is a small change that can make a big difference.