What is the “Alt Attribute”?

The alt attribute, commonly known as “alt text”, is an attribute added to the <img> element in HTML. Its primary purpose is to provide a text description of the image’s content. This description serves as an alternative for users who cannot view the image, either due to visual impairments, using text-only browsers, or instances where the image fails to load.

Importance of the Alt Attribute in WordPress

For WordPress users, understanding and implementing the alt attribute correctly is crucial for several reasons:

• Accessibility: Alt text ensures that visually impaired users, who rely on screen readers, can comprehend the content and purpose of an image. Using appropriate alt text is a key aspect of web accessibility and helps websites adhere to global accessibility standards like the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG).
• SEO Benefits: Alt text also plays a role in Search Engine Optimization (SEO). Search engines, which cannot “see” images, use alt text to better understand the image’s content and context. Properly optimized alt text can enhance a site’s search ranking.
• Fallback for Missing Images: If an image does not load due to broken links or other issues, the alt text will be displayed, providing users with a textual description of the intended visual content.

Best Practices for Alt Attributes in WordPress

When crafting alt text in WordPress, keep these best practices in mind:

• Descriptive yet Concise: The alt text should give a clear description of the image’s content and context without being overly verbose. For instance, “brown dog chasing a ball in a park” is more informative than just “dog”.
• Avoid Redundant Phrases: Refrain from starting alt text with phrases like “Image of” or “Photo of”. Assistive technologies already indicate the presence of an image, making such phrases unnecessary.
• Stay Natural: While it’s beneficial to include relevant keywords for SEO purposes, ensure the alt text sounds natural and isn’t stuffed with keywords.

Setting the Alt Attribute in WordPress

In WordPress, when you upload an image using the media uploader, you’ll find a field labeled “Alt Text”. This is where you should input your descriptive text. For images already present in your Media Library, you can easily add or edit the alt text by selecting the image and updating the “Alt Text” field.

Conclusion

The alt attribute is a fundamental aspect of web design and development. It plays a pivotal role in ensuring web accessibility and enhancing SEO. Every image uploaded to a WordPress site should be accompanied by meaningful alt text to provide an inclusive browsing experience for all users.