Adding alt text (alternative text) to images in WordPress is crucial for:
- Accessibility: Providing text descriptions that screen readers can convey to visually impaired users
- SEO: Helping search engines understand image content for better visibility in image search results
This article covers 3 simple methods to add alt text to WordPress images:
- When Uploading New Images
- Access the "Alt Text" field in the image upload settings
- Enter a brief description of the image content
- Editing Existing Images
- Single Image: Edit the "Alt Text" field in the image settings
- Bulk Edit: Use the WP Sheet Editor plugin to update alt text for multiple images at once
- In the Block Editor
- Click on an image block
- Enter alt text in the "Alt Text" field in the Image Settings panel
Writing effective alt text:
| Guideline | Description |
|---|---|
| Clear & Accurate | Describe key image details without unnecessary info |
| Use Keywords | Incorporate relevant keywords naturally |
| Consider Context | Focus on the image’s relevance to surrounding content |
| Keep Concise | Aim for around 125 characters or less |
Verifying alt text:
- Manual checks: View page source, search for
alt="" - Browser tools: WAVE, Lighthouse, Accessibility Insights
- Test with screen readers: JAWS, NVDA, VoiceOver
- Regular reviews and updates as your site evolves
Consistent implementation of alt text across your WordPress site enhances accessibility and search engine optimization, providing a better user experience.
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Adding Text When Uploading New Images
When uploading new images to the WordPress Media Library, you can add alt text to make your website more accessible and improve its search engine visibility. Here’s a simple step-by-step guide:
Step-by-Step Guide
1. Log in to your WordPress dashboard and go to Media > Library. 2. Click Upload New Media to add a new image. 3. Once the image is uploaded, click Edit next to the image thumbnail. 4. In the Attachment Details section, find the Alt Text field. 5. Enter a brief description explaining the image content. 6. Click Update to save the changes.
What is Alt Text?
The ‘Alt Text’ field serves two main purposes:
| Purpose | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Accessibility | Alt text helps screen readers describe images to users with visual impairments, making your website more accessible. |
| SEO | Search engines like Google use alt text to understand image content, improving your website’s visibility in image search results. |
Editing Alt Text for Existing Images
Updating alt text for images already on your WordPress site is easy. You can access the image settings and modify the alt text field for individual images or edit multiple images at once.
Changing Alt Text for a Single Image
To edit the alt text for an existing image:
- Log in to your WordPress dashboard and go to Media > Library.
- Click on the image you want to edit.
- In the Attachment Details section, find the Alt Text field.
- Enter a brief description of the image content.
- Click Update to save the changes.
Bulk Editing Alt Text
If you need to update alt text for multiple images, WordPress offers a bulk editing option. You can use the WP Sheet Editor – Media Library plugin to edit alt text for many images at once:
- Install and activate the WP Sheet Editor – Media Library plugin.
- Go to Media > Library and select the images you want to edit.
- Click on the Bulk Edit tool.
- In the Alt Text field, enter the new alt text or modify the existing text.
- Click Execute now to apply the changes to all selected images.
| Editing Option | Description |
|---|---|
| Single Image | Access the image settings and update the alt text field for one image at a time. |
| Bulk Edit | Use the WP Sheet Editor plugin to edit alt text for multiple images simultaneously. |
Adding Alt Text in the Block Editor
You can also add alt text to images directly in the WordPress Block Editor. This method is useful when you want to add alt text to individual image blocks or galleries. Here’s how:
Step-by-Step Guide
- Open your WordPress post or page in the Block Editor.
- Click on the image block you want to add alt text to.
- In the Image Settings panel on the right, find the Alt Text (alternative text) field.
- Enter a brief description of the image content.
- Click Update to save the changes.
Differences from Media Library Method
Adding alt text in the Block Editor differs from the Media Library method in a few ways:
| Block Editor | Media Library |
|---|---|
| Alt text applies only to that specific image block or gallery | Alt text applies to all instances of the image |
| More flexibility in adding alt text to individual image blocks or galleries | Better suited for bulk editing alt text |
| Visual interface for adding alt text, easier to see image context | Text-based interface for adding alt text |
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Writing Good Text Descriptions
Writing clear and accurate text descriptions for your images is vital for accessibility, search engine optimization (SEO), and user experience. A well-written alt text helps screen readers and search engines understand the image content, making it more discoverable and usable.
Describe Key Details Clearly
When writing alt text, focus on being concise and accurate. Describe the key details of the image, avoiding unnecessary information. Imagine you’re describing the image to someone who cannot see it – what would you say? For example, instead of "Image of a dog," a better alt text would be "A golden retriever puppy sitting on a couch."
Use Keywords Naturally
Incorporate relevant keywords into your alt text, but avoid overusing them. Use keywords naturally, as you would in a sentence. This will help search engines associate your image with the corresponding keywords. For instance, if your image is about a "WordPress tutorial," your alt text could be "A screenshot of the WordPress dashboard, showing the tutorial on how to add a plugin."
Consider the Image’s Context
Think about the context and purpose of the image. Avoid using redundant phrases like "image of" or "picture of." Instead, focus on the content of the image and its relevance to the surrounding text. For example, if the image is part of a blog post about a new product, your alt text could be "The new iPhone 14 Pro, featuring a larger screen and improved camera."
Keep It Concise
Keep your alt text concise, ideally within 125 characters. This ensures that screen readers can read the text without truncating it. While it’s not a strict limit, it’s a good guideline to follow.
Here’s a table summarizing the key points for writing good alt text:
| Guideline | Description |
|---|---|
| Clear and Accurate | Describe the key details of the image, avoiding unnecessary information. |
| Use Keywords Naturally | Incorporate relevant keywords, but avoid overusing them. |
| Consider Context | Focus on the image’s content and relevance to the surrounding text. |
| Keep It Concise | Aim for around 125 characters or less. |
Verifying Image Text Descriptions
Checking that alt text has been added to images correctly is vital for accessibility, search engine optimization (SEO), and user experience. Here are some methods to verify text descriptions:
Manual Checks
To manually check if alt text is present:
- Go to the live page with the images.
- Right-click and select View page source.
- Press Ctrl + F (or Command + F on Mac) to search.
- Type alt=" to highlight all alt text on the page.
Manually checking the page source code lets you confirm that alt text has been added and make any needed changes.
Browser Tools and Accessibility Checkers
Browser extensions and accessibility tools can scan for missing or empty alt text, helping you ensure compliance. Popular options include:
- WAVE Web Accessibility Evaluation Tool
- Lighthouse
- Accessibility Insights
These tools identify alt text issues, allowing you to improve your website’s accessibility.
Testing with Screen Readers
Testing with screen reader software ensures that alt text provides meaningful descriptions for visually impaired users. Popular screen readers include:
- JAWS (Job Access with Speech)
- NVDA (NonVisual Desktop Access)
- VoiceOver
Testing with screen readers verifies that your alt text accurately conveys image content.
Regular Reviews and Updates
As your website evolves, regularly review and update your alt text. This ensures new images have alt text and existing descriptions remain accurate and relevant. Schedule regular audits to maintain accessibility and SEO best practices.
| Method | Description |
|---|---|
| Manual Checks | Check the page source code to confirm alt text presence. |
| Browser Tools | Use extensions and tools to scan for missing or empty alt text. |
| Screen Readers | Test with screen reader software to ensure meaningful descriptions. |
| Regular Reviews | Regularly audit and update alt text as your website changes. |
Summary
Key Points
- Adding alt text to images on your WordPress site improves accessibility for users with visual impairments and boosts search engine visibility.
- This article covered three methods to add alt text: when uploading new images, editing existing images, and using the Block Editor.
- Writing clear, concise alt text that accurately describes the image content is crucial for optimal accessibility and SEO.
- Regularly verifying and updating alt text ensures your site remains accessible and search engine-friendly as it evolves.
Consistent Implementation
To fully benefit from alt text:
- Make adding alt text a habit when uploading new images.
- Regularly review and update existing alt text descriptions.
Consistent implementation across your WordPress site enhances overall accessibility and search engine optimization, providing a better user experience.
Final Thoughts
Well-crafted alt text significantly impacts user experience and search visibility. Follow the methods and best practices outlined in this article to ensure your WordPress images are:
- Accessible to all users
- Optimized for search engines
- Providing a better overall experience
FAQs
What is the purpose of adding alt text to an image in WordPress?
The main purpose of adding alt text (alternative text) to an image in WordPress is to provide a text description of the image. This description helps:
- Accessibility: People who are visually impaired or have images disabled can understand the image content through screen readers that read the alt text aloud.
- Search Engine Optimization (SEO): Search engines use alt text to understand the image content, which can improve the visibility of your images in search results.