Web Accessibility: Why Your Images Should Always Have an Alt Attribute

HTML <img> tags should always include an alt (alternate) attribute. This is a crucial aspect of web accessibility. In this article, I’m going to tell you why.

What Is the Alt Attribute?

The alt attribute provides a text description for an image, which is used in several situations. Its main purpose is to convey the content and function of an image when it cannot be seen by the user. This can happen due to a slow connection, a broken link, or because the user is relying on assistive technology, such as a screen reader.

More Benefits

The alt attribute also helps to:

  • Improved SEO: search engines use this attribute to better understand our content and help them index it properly, improving our website’s search ranking.
  • Build robust code: making sure it’s compatible with assistive technologies while following web standards.

An image with an alt ensures all kinds of users an equivalent experience.