Alternative text (also known as “alt text”) is a tool that has become increasingly important for web developers, content creators, and marketers. It provides a way to describe visual elements of a webpage or other digital platform to people who use screen readers, as well as the general public. In this article, we will explore the benefits of alternative text and discuss how to best implement it into digital content for the benefit of all users.
Alternative text, also known as "alt text" or "alt tags," are used to provide a text description of an image on a webpage. Alt tags can be read by screen readers, allowing people with vision impairments to access the same information as those without disabilities. Additionally, alternative text provides search engine robots with useful information about why an image is included and what it is about.
In the past, web designers overlooked the importance of the alt tag, failing to include them for the majority of images. This meant that those using screen reading technology were unable to interpret the image and understand its context within the page. Now, Alt text is a critical part of website accessibility and must be included whenever an image is added to a webpage.
Alt text is a simple but powerful tool that helps make the internet more accessible for everyone. It is important to include alternative text descriptions for any images used on a website in order to make sure that everyone, regardless of disability, can access the content easily.
One of the key benefits of alternative text is that it increases accessibility for people with disabilities. This includes visual, hearing and mobility impairments. For example, images that include alternative text are read aloud by screen readers so those with visual impairments can access the content better. Additionally, including alternative text allows the content to be understood by people using braille displays.
Alternative text also increases discoverability on search engines, which can help a website’s overall SEO. Search engine algorithms can “read” the text included in alternative text, helping the content to appear higher in organic search results. This increases visibility and can result in more website traffic from potential customers.
Finally, alternative text is beneficial for people browsing the internet on their mobile device. It can help users understand the content of images even when they have a slow internet connection or have images disabled in their settings. This creates a better overall user experience and encourages people to stay on the page, which can lower website bounce rates.
Implementing Alternative Text into existing content and design websites can be a simple process. The first step to properly implementing alternative text is to identify the elements on the page that require alternative text. This includes images, audio files, and even videos. The next step is to add the appropriate alternative text to each element. When it comes to images, the alternative text should provide a concise description of the image and its contents. For audio and videos, it’s important to provide an overview of the content since these media formats are often not accessible for those with visual impairments.
In addition to providing alternative text for the content on a website, it’s also essential to make sure that the website itself is compatible with text readers. Text readers are a tool used by those with visual impairments to access website content. To ensure compatibility, it’s important to utilize HTML tags that create logical headings and to include descriptive labels for form fields and inputs.
Finally, it’s important to test any changes or updates to ensure that they correctly implemented. This can be done by using tools like WAVE Accessibility Evaluation Tool or by enlisting the help of members of the blind and visually impaired community to test the website and lead to a more accessible experience for all users.