Image SEO and Alt Text
Images can improve a page, but they should be useful, accessible, correctly sized, and understandable without relying on the image alone.
Use images for a reason
A useful image should explain, demonstrate, identify, or support the content around it. Decorative images are fine, but they should not replace important text or context.
- Choose images that directly support the surrounding section.
- Avoid generic stock images that add no information.
- Place important explanatory text in the HTML, not only inside an image.
Write useful alt text
Alt text describes the purpose of an image for people who cannot see it. Good alt text is concise and specific. It should describe what matters in the context of the page.
- Describe the meaningful subject or action.
- Do not begin with “image of” or “picture of.”
- Use empty alt text for purely decorative images when appropriate.
Keep images lightweight
Large image files can slow down the page, especially on mobile connections. Resize images to the dimensions they will actually be displayed at and compress them before publishing.
- Avoid uploading a huge original when a smaller version is enough.
- Use responsive image sizes where your framework supports them.
- Include width and height information to reduce layout movement.