What Is Alt Text?
What Is Alt Text?
Alt text, short for alternative text, is a written description added to an image’s HTML code to explain what the image contains.
It is used by screen readers to help visually impaired users understand visual content and by search engines to interpret images.
In essence, alt text provides a textual explanation of an image so it remains accessible, understandable, and searchable even when the image cannot be seen.
Why Alt Text Matters for Brands
For fashion and retail brands, alt text plays an important role in accessibility, SEO, and overall content quality.
Well written alt text improves both user experience and search visibility.
Key benefits:
Improved accessibility for users relying on screen readers
Better image SEO and discoverability in search results
Clearer product context when images fail to load
Examples of Alt Text in Action
Imagine a brand uploading images for a new product launch.
With effective alt text, they can:
Describe the product clearly using attributes like color, fit, and category
Avoid keyword stuffing while remaining descriptive
Match image descriptions to the product shown on the PDP
Ensure consistency across product, category, and campaign images
For example, instead of generic text like “image1,” a brand might use “women’s black cotton midi dress with short sleeves.”
Clear alt text improves usability and search relevance at the same time.
How Alt Text Fits into the Ecosystem
Alt text often connects with:
Product Photography & Editing
Photography FAQs
Blogs & SEO Content
Together, these practices help brands create inclusive, search friendly visual experiences across all channels.
Related Terms
Image SEO
Accessibility
Product Photography
Metadata
