Why ALT Text Is Critical for SEO: The Small Details That Matter

When it comes to SEO, many businesses focus on the big moves—keywords, content strategy, backlinks—but sometimes, the smallest details can have the greatest impact. One of the most overlooked SEO elements is image ALT text.

What is it? Why does it matter? And how can you use it to improve your website’s visibility? Let’s dive in.

What Is ALT Text, and Why Does It Matter?

ALT text (alternative text) is a short, descriptive phrase attached to an image on your website. It serves two main purposes:

1. Accessibility: Screen readers use ALT text to describe images to visually impaired users.
2. SEO: Search engines rely on ALT text to understand image content and context, which contributes to how pages are ranked in search results.

In short, ALT text makes your website more inclusive and helps search engines “see” your images.

The Impact of Overlooking ALT Text

Let’s look at a real-world example to highlight why ALT text matters. Recently, we completed a website for a client and noticed something unexpected in the Google search result listing:

Instead of a clean and polished description, Google pulled the following ALT text:

“Book-keeping-finance-D1.”

This text didn’t describe the image or relate to the content of the page. Why? Because it was being pulled directly from the image’s ALT text, which had not been optimized.

To confirm the source of the problem, we examined the site’s HTML code. Here’s what we found:

The ALT text wasn’t descriptive, relevant, or useful to search engines or users. Instead of contributing to the page’s SEO, it became a missed opportunity to improve search visibility and user experience.

The takeaway? When ALT text is left generic or ignored, search engines have no context for your images, and users lose out on valuable information.

How to Write ALT Text That Boosts SEO

Creating effective ALT text doesn’t have to be complicated. Follow these best practices:

1. Be Descriptive: Clearly describe what the image shows and how it relates to the content.
   • Example: “Bookkeeper reviewing financial statements on a laptop.”
2. Stay Concise: Keep it under 140 characters.
3. Make It Relevant: Connect the ALT text to the surrounding page content.
4. Avoid Keyword Stuffing: Use keywords naturally, but don’t force them.
5. Skip Decorative Images: Leave the ALT text blank for purely decorative visuals.

Simplify ALT Text Creation with AI Tools

If writing ALT text feels tedious, AI tools can make the process easier and more efficient. Here’s how to use AI to simplify ALT text creation:

1. Start with the Image:
   • Either briefly explain what the image shows, or upload the image to your preferred AI tool and let it analyze and interpret the content.
2. Provide Context: Share the text surrounding the image or describe the section’s topic. This helps the AI tool align the ALT text with the purpose of the page.
3. Request a Descriptive Output: Use a prompt like this:
   • “Create ALT text for an image showing a bookkeeper using accounting software. The image is part of a page about bookkeeping services.”
4. Review and Apply: Check the suggested ALT text for accuracy, conciseness, and relevance before applying it to your website.

By leveraging AI, you can quickly generate descriptive ALT text that improves SEO and accessibility without spending hours writing it manually.

Tips for Auditing and Updating Your ALT Text

To ensure your website’s images contribute to SEO:

• Review Every Page: Check for missing, generic, or irrelevant ALT text.
• Use Tools: Platforms like HubSpot CMS, SEMrush, or Google Lighthouse can identify missing ALT text.
• Be Strategic: Optimize your most important pages first (e.g., homepage, service pages, blog posts).

Updating ALT text may seem minor, but it adds up. Each optimized image gives your site a better chance to rank and engage your audience.

If you're looking for expert help with optimizing your website for SEO and creating a user-friendly design, check out our Web Development and Design Services for SMBs to learn more.

Master the Small Details for Big SEO Wins

Good SEO isn’t just about creating great content and securing backlinks—it’s about paying attention to the details. Optimizing your image ALT text improves accessibility, enhances user experience, and signals relevance to search engines.

Small details like these can make the difference between being found in search results and being overlooked.

Ready to Optimize Your Website for SEO Success?

At CycleWerx Marketing, we specialize in fine-tuning every detail of your website to maximize visibility and impact.

Contact Us Today to ensure your digital presence is fully optimized for search engines—and your audience.