What is an alt text?
Alt text, or alternative text, is a description that you add to an image on a Web site. This text is not directly visible to visitors, but is displayed if the image cannot load for some reason. In addition, alt text is used by screen readers to tell people with visual impairments what is in the image. So it is a way to ensure that everyone, regardless of whether they can see the image, can still understand the content and context of your website.
Alt text also plays an important role in search engine optimization(SEO). This is because search engines cannot "see" what is in an image; they rely on the alt text to understand what the image represents. By using clear and descriptive alt text, you help search engines better index and understand your website. This can ultimately cause your page to rank better in search results, especially in the image search section.
In practice, using alt text is a simple but effective way to improve both the accessibility and SEO of your Web site. A best practice is to provide every image on your site with an alt text that clearly and specifically describes what the image shows. When doing so, use relevant keywords, but avoid overcrowding the text with keywords, as this looks unnatural and can lead to lower search engine ratings. Also, make sure the alt text is short and concise so that it is easy to understand. By using alt text consistently and appropriately, you will not only contribute to a better user experience for all visitors, but also improve the findability of your website in search engines.
