What are alt tags and why you need them
What are alt tags and why you need them… For most people, the Alt text is something they know they need but it’s one extra job and they wonder is it necessary?
I recently worked with LaVant Consulting their business is to help companies with diversity and inclusion in the workplace. So right from the start of the design, I had to consider accessibility.
What is an alt tag
The simplest explanation is Alt Text is required for SEO and the blind and visually impaired people who otherwise would not know what the image is about...
An alt tag is also known as “alt attribute” and “alt description,” which is an HTML attribute applied to image tags to provide a text alternative for search engines. Applying images to alt tags such as product photos can positively impact an eCommerce store. A good example of how powerful Alt Tags is when you do a Google search for something you can also click the image tab to see all the images with alt tags that relate to the search.
Do I need to tag Background image
One of the questions that often comes up is ‘How do apply an alt tag to a Background Image’… the simple answer is you can’t add alt text to a background image directly on the page. You can, however, add to the text to the image in the media library but there is no guarantee that Google will be able to read the alt text.
However, as long as your background image can tick the following boxes there is no requirement for alt text on a background image.
- The background image is purely for decorative purposes on the page.
- If it wasn’t there it would not alter the overall look of the page.
- There is a text box over the background image.
- Ensure the background colour is solid and contrasts with the text.
How to tag your blog posts
The picture below shows you where to add the Alt Text to a blog post image.
Making light work of alt text
So now you know the importance of Alt Text you will be relieved to hear that there is a simple solution… Image Attributes will take all the hard work out of alt text and add it for you and if you have a large media library can even invest in the Pro version and it will then update your library. To download the free version click here
