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Image Alt-Text

Helping AI see your images

What is Image Alt-Text?

Alt-text (alternative text) is a written description of an image. It appears in your HTML code but not on the visible page. Screen readers use it to describe images to people who cannot see them. AI search engines also use alt-text to understand what images show.

Without alt-text, images are invisible to AI. The engines can only see that an image exists, not what it shows. Good alt-text helps your content rank better in AI search and improves your GEO-Score. Aim for 100% coverage on all meaningful images.

Why Alt-Text Matters for AI

AI engines process text much better than images. While they have image recognition technology, alt-text provides clearer, more accurate information. It tells AI exactly what the image shows and why it matters.

Good alt-text helps AI by:

  • Explaining visual content in clear language
  • Connecting images to your main topic
  • Adding context that images alone cannot provide
  • Making content more accessible to all users
  • Providing backup when images fail to load

This is an important part of AI optimization. Every image without alt-text is a missed opportunity.

The Target: 100% Alt-Text Coverage

For optimal AI performance, every meaningful image should have alt-text. This means 100% coverage of content images.

What Needs Alt-Text?

  • Photos and illustrations that show content
  • Charts, graphs, and data visualizations
  • Infographics with important information
  • Screenshots that demonstrate features
  • Logos and brand images

Decorative Images: Use Empty Alt-Text

Some images are purely decorative and add no information. For these, use alt="" (empty alt attribute). This tells screen readers and AI to skip the image. Never remove the alt attribute completely.

How to Write Good Alt-Text

Good alt-text is clear, concise, and descriptive. It should help someone who cannot see the image understand what it shows.

1. Be Descriptive and Specific

Describe the main subject and important details. What would you tell someone over the phone about this image?

Bad: "Image of a dog"

Too vague and generic

Good: "Golden retriever puppy playing with a red ball in a grassy backyard"

Specific and descriptive

2. Keep It Concise

Aim for 125 characters or less. Screen readers often cut off longer descriptions. Focus on the most important information.

Bad: "This is a picture showing a very detailed chart with multiple data points representing sales figures across different regions throughout the entire year with various colors indicating different product categories"

Too long and rambling

Good: "Bar chart showing quarterly sales by region for 2025"

Concise and clear

3. Include Context

Mention why the image is relevant to your content. Connect it to the surrounding text.

Bad: "Screenshot"

No context provided

Good: "Dashboard showing real-time analytics for website traffic"

Provides context and purpose

4. Use Keywords Naturally

Include relevant keywords when they fit naturally. Never force keywords into alt-text.

Bad: "AI optimization SEO content marketing digital strategy"

Keyword stuffing

Good: "Content marketing team reviewing AI optimization strategy"

Keywords fit naturally in description

Good vs Bad Alt-Text Examples

Bad Alt-Text

✗No alt attribute at all

✗"Image" or "Photo"

✗"Click here" or "See image"

✗File names like "IMG_1234.jpg"

✗Stuffed with unrelated keywords

Good Alt-Text

✓Clear, descriptive text

✓Specific details about content

✓Relevant context included

✓Concise but complete

✓Natural keyword integration

Alt-Text for Different Image Types

Photographs

Describe the main subject, setting, and relevant actions or details.

Example: "Marketing team collaborating around a whiteboard in modern office"

Charts and Graphs

State the chart type and the key data or trend it shows.

Example: "Line graph showing 40% increase in mobile traffic from 2023 to 2025"

Screenshots

Identify what software or interface is shown and what action or feature is highlighted.

Example: "WordPress editor showing content structure with H2 and H3 headings"

Logos and Icons

Name the company or service the logo represents.

Example: "Bloffee logo" or "Download icon"

Infographics

Summarize the main message or provide a brief overview. Consider adding a longer description in surrounding text.

Example: "Infographic comparing traditional SEO vs GEO optimization factors"

Quick Tips for Image Alt-Text

  • •Add alt-text to every meaningful image
  • •Keep descriptions under 125 characters when possible
  • •Be specific about what the image shows
  • •Include context that relates to your content
  • •Use empty alt="" for purely decorative images
  • •Never stuff alt-text with keywords

Common Alt-Text Mistakes

Starting with "Image of" or "Picture of"

Screen readers already announce that it is an image. Starting with these phrases is redundant and wastes characters. Just describe what the image shows.

Using File Names as Alt-Text

"IMG_7834.jpg" or "screenshot-final-v2.png" mean nothing to users or AI. Always write actual descriptions.

Being Too Generic

"Person working" could describe millions of images. Be specific: "Software developer coding in JavaScript on a laptop."

Forgetting Alt-Text Completely

Missing alt attributes make content inaccessible and hurt your GEO-Score. Always add the alt attribute, even if empty for decorative images.

How to Check Your Alt-Text Coverage

You can easily check if your images have alt-text:

  • 1.Right-click images and inspect the HTML code
  • 2.Use browser accessibility tools to view alt-text
  • 3.Run automated accessibility checkers
  • 4.Use Bloffee to check alt-text coverage across your site

Connection to Other GEO Factors

Image alt-text connects to other parts of your GEO-Score: