Descriptive alt tags and Best practices for implementing them across different types of images and contexts.
Here’s a comprehensive guide to writing effective alt tags:
1. Purpose of Alt Tags:
– Provide text alternatives for images
– Improve accessibility for screen readers
– Help with SEO
– Display when images fail to load
2. Best Practices:
A. Content Images:
B. Decorative Images:
C. Complex Images (Charts/Graphs):
3. Guidelines for Different Types:
| Product Images | – Include key features- Mention color, size, material- Describe unique selling points |
| Navigational Icons | – Keep it simple and functional- Focus on action/destination“`html<img src=”home-icon.png” alt=”Home”>“` |
| People/Portraits | – Include name and context- Describe relevant visual elements“`html<img src=”ceo.jpg” alt=”Sarah Johnson, CEO, speaking at annual conference”> |
4. Length Guidelines:
– Aim for 125 characters or less
– Be concise but descriptive
– Prioritize important information
5. What to Avoid:
– Don’t start with “Image of” or “Picture of”
– Don’t repeat information that’s in nearby text
– Don’t use “image” or “photo” in the alt text
– Don’t leave alt tags empty unless image is decorative
6. Special Cases:
Background Images:
“`html
<div
role=”img”
aria-label=”Description of background image”
style=”background-image: url(bg.jpg);”
>
</div>
“`
SVG Images:
“`html
<svg role=”img” aria-label=”Description of SVG content”>
<!– SVG content –>
</svg>
“`
7. Testing Tips:
– Turn off images in your browser
– Use screen readers to test
– Check if alt text makes sense without context
– Verify that decorative images are properly marked