{"id":15198,"date":"2023-07-26T09:26:29","date_gmt":"2023-07-26T07:26:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/web-mate.gr\/alt-text-seo-tips\/"},"modified":"2026-10-29T13:29:42","modified_gmt":"2026-10-29T11:29:42","slug":"alt-text-seo-tips","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/web-mate.gr\/en\/alt-text-seo-tips\/","title":{"rendered":"SEO: 8 ways alt text can help promote your website"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"wp-block-rank-math-toc-block\" id=\"rank-math-toc\"><h2>Contents<\/h2><nav><ul><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#why-alt-text-matters-for-seo\">Why alt text matters for SEO<\/a><\/li><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#why-use-alt-text-on-images\">Why use alt text on your images<\/a><\/li><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#add-alt-text-to-most-visited-pages\">Add alt text to your most visited pages first<\/a><\/li><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#use-ai-to-update-alt-text-in-bulk\">Use AI to update alt text in bulk<\/a><\/li><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#write-a-short-sentence-for-alt-text\">Write a short sentence or phrase for your alt text<\/a><\/li><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#fit-keywords-into-alt-text-naturally\">Fit keywords into your alt text naturally<\/a><\/li><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#organising-alt-text-with-templates\">Organising alt text with templates<\/a><\/li><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#adding-detail-to-template-alt-text\">Adding detail to template alt text<\/a><\/li><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#dont-set-and-forget-alt-text\">Don&#8217;t set it and forget it<\/a><\/li><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#update-alt-text-when-content-changes\">Update alt text when your content or keywords change<\/a><\/li><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#transcribing-text-into-alt-text\">Transcribing text into alt text<\/a><\/li><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#alt-text-for-infographic-text\">Using alt text to include the text of an infographic<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In <a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Search_engine_optimization\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">SEO (Search Engine Optimization)<\/a>, one of the most important details that websites often overlook is alt text (alternate text). It helps your website perform better, and it is also an important factor in your Google ranking.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"why-alt-text-matters-for-seo\">Why alt text matters for SEO<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><b>Alt text<\/b> is HTML code that describes what an image shows. It is especially useful for screen readers used by people with visual impairments, and it also helps search engines understand what a <a href=\"https:\/\/web-mate.gr\/en\/yphresies\/\">web page<\/a> contains and how to index it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"why-use-alt-text-on-images\">Why use alt text on your images<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Here are a few reasons why you should use alt text on your images:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u2022 <b>It improves the user experience:<\/b> Describing images with alt text helps screen readers &#8220;read&#8221; images to people with visual impairments.<br>\u2022 <b>It helps with indexing:<\/b> Search engines such as Google use alt text to understand what your website is about.<br>\u2022 <b>It improves SEO:<\/b> If you include the right keywords in your alt text, it can help your website rank higher in search results.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1000\" height=\"634\" src=\"https:\/\/web-mate.gr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/seo-se-foto.jpg\" alt=\"Using alt text to help promote your website with SEO\" class=\"wp-image-10635\" title=\"- Web-Mate\" srcset=\"https:\/\/web-mate.gr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/seo-se-foto.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/web-mate.gr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/seo-se-foto-300x190.jpg 300w, https:\/\/web-mate.gr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/seo-se-foto-768x487.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"prioritise-alt-text-on-main-images\">Prioritise, update and add alt text to your main images<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It is common to have quite a few images on your <a href=\"https:\/\/web-mate.gr\/en\/yphresies\/\">website<\/a> without alt text. But like everything in SEO, image alt text needs a strategy. So here are two basic tips for handling it:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"add-alt-text-to-most-visited-pages\">Add alt text to your most visited pages first<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Start with priorities.<\/strong> Add alt text to the images on your most visited pages. You can do this gradually, working through 5, 10 or 20 pages as time allows.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"use-ai-to-update-alt-text-in-bulk\">Use AI to update alt text in bulk<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If you have a lot of images, <a href=\"https:\/\/AltText.ai\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">AltText.ai<\/a> may be the right tool for you. It uses artificial intelligence to update your image library automatically, which makes the process efficient and saves time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1000\" height=\"562\" src=\"https:\/\/web-mate.gr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/seo-web-mate.jpg\" alt=\"SEO and website promotion by Web-Mate\" class=\"wp-image-10638\" title=\"- Web-Mate\" srcset=\"https:\/\/web-mate.gr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/seo-web-mate.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/web-mate.gr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/seo-web-mate-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/web-mate.gr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/seo-web-mate-768x432.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"use-alt-text-for-context-and-keywords\">Use alt text to give your images context and keywords<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><b>Give your images context and keywords.<\/b> Simply describing what is in your image is not enough. You also need to give your image context that tells Google, as precisely as possible, what you offer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Take a photo of a hot-air balloon as an example. &#8220;Hot-air balloon&#8221; as alt text is generic and does not tell Google what your website is really about or what value you offer users. If instead you use the alt text &#8220;hot-air balloon over the Napa Valley&#8221; or &#8220;hot-air balloon and extra equipment for sale&#8221;, then, together with the other information on your <a href=\"https:\/\/web-mate.gr\/en\/yphresies\/design-development-of-websites-site\/\">page<\/a>, you make it clearer to Google what you offer and who should see your website.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This is where keywords come into play. You have probably spent quite a bit of time on keyword research. Well, put it to use!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Work your keywords into your alt text.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"avoid-keyword-stuffing-in-alt-text\">Avoid keyword stuffing in alt text<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">As part of your SEO strategy, it is crucial to understand that overusing keywords in alt text can hurt your <a href=\"https:\/\/web-mate.gr\/en\/yphresies\/design-development-of-websites-site\/\">website<\/a>&#8216;s ranking in search engines. Search engines such as Google treat this practice as &#8220;keyword stuffing&#8221;, which can lead to penalties that reduce your website&#8217;s visibility.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"write-a-short-sentence-for-alt-text\">Write a short sentence or phrase for your alt text<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A good practice when writing alt text for your images is to write a short sentence or phrase that describes the image accurately in the context of your page. Think about how the image relates to your content and aim to get its relevance across to your audience. Remember, alt text should help both search engines and people with visual impairments understand what the image shows.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1000\" height=\"528\" src=\"https:\/\/web-mate.gr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/seo-seo-1.jpg\" alt=\"SEO: how to help promote your website\" class=\"wp-image-10636\" title=\"- Web-Mate\" srcset=\"https:\/\/web-mate.gr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/seo-seo-1.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/web-mate.gr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/seo-seo-1-300x158.jpg 300w, https:\/\/web-mate.gr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/seo-seo-1-768x406.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"fit-keywords-into-alt-text-naturally\">Fit keywords into your alt text naturally<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">When it comes to adding keywords to your alt text, a smart approach is to fit them in naturally and avoid forcing them into the description. Choose your keywords carefully and make sure they are relevant to the image and to the content of your <a href=\"https:\/\/web-mate.gr\/en\/yphresies\/design-development-of-websites-site\/\">website<\/a>. This helps your website&#8217;s SEO and also improves the experience for users, especially those who use screen readers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Remember, your goal with alt text is to make all the content on your <a href=\"https:\/\/web-mate.gr\/en\/yphresies\/design-development-of-websites-site\/\">website<\/a> accessible to every user and to search engines. If you follow these strategies, you can use alt text to support your SEO efforts and improve your website&#8217;s visibility.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"using-alt-text-templates\">Using alt text templates<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It can be tempting to use a standard format and call it a day. For example, if you run an online shop, your alt text template could be: &#8220;Product brand&#8221; + &#8220;Product name&#8221;.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"organising-alt-text-with-templates\">Organising alt text with templates<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">That is certainly better than nothing, but it is also very generic and leaves out many of the attributes people might be searching for.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"adding-detail-to-template-alt-text\">Adding detail to template alt text<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><b>Combine unique, important details with the basic product data<\/b>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Bring in <b>common search terms<\/b> you may want to mention, such as colour, size, material and shape.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Use <a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Artificial_intelligence\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">artificial intelligence<\/a> to <b>automate the process<\/b>. Services such as AltText.ai can pick out these details and combine them with your product data.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"dont-set-and-forget-alt-text\">Don&#8217;t set it and forget it<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">You may be tempted to set your alt text once and forget about it, treating it as a one-off task. Even so, it is vital to keep it in line with any major changes to your content or to your keyword strategy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">When you update an article or a blog post and the new main keywords relate to your images, it is worth updating the alt text to match. This makes sure it accurately describes what the image shows in relation to your updated article, which leads to better SEO results.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"update-alt-text-when-content-changes\">Update alt text when your content or keywords change<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">All your SEO work, including your alt text strategy, should stay consistent with your updated content and keywords. We recommend reviewing and revising your alt text regularly, to make sure it keeps adding value to your SEO strategy. The effort you put into optimising your alt text on an ongoing basis can help your images rank better in search engines.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Remember, aim for steady improvement and adjustment here. Perfection can wait!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In short:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Review your alt text strategy every time you update your content or keywords.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Make sure your alt text describes the image accurately, fits the content and includes the main keyword where possible.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Set aside time regularly to optimise your alt text, for stronger SEO results.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"transcribing-text-into-alt-text\">Transcribing text into alt text<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><b>Using alt text<\/b> to describe the text inside a chart or an image is a smart SEO tactic that can help your <a href=\"https:\/\/web-mate.gr\/en\/yphresies\/design-development-of-websites-site\/\">website<\/a> rank better in search engines.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1000\" height=\"534\" src=\"https:\/\/web-mate.gr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/seo-seo-2.jpg\" alt=\"SEO to help promote your website\" class=\"wp-image-10637\" title=\"- Web-Mate\" srcset=\"https:\/\/web-mate.gr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/seo-seo-2.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/web-mate.gr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/seo-seo-2-300x160.jpg 300w, https:\/\/web-mate.gr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/seo-seo-2-768x410.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"alt-text-for-infographic-text\">Using alt text to include the text of an infographic<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Infographics are often full of useful information, but search engines cannot read the text inside these images. Adding a detailed description of the image&#8217;s text to your alt text can help search engines understand your content better and improve your <a href=\"https:\/\/web-mate.gr\/en\/yphresies\/design-development-of-websites-site\/\">website<\/a>&#8216;s ranking.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"conclusions\">Conclusions<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">To sum up, <b>alt text<\/b> is a valuable tool for improving your SEO strategy. It brings important benefits, such as:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>A stronger presence in search engines, because they understand your website&#8217;s content better.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>A better experience for people with visual impairments, because screen readers can describe your images.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Better use of keywords, which helps your website rank higher.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In recent years, AI has made it possible to automate alt text, generating descriptions for large numbers of images in less time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It is important to stay consistent in using alt text and in following best practice for keywords, so that we get the full benefit of this tool.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Applied properly, alt text will make a real difference to your <a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Search_engine_optimization\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">SEO<\/a> strategy.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>In SEO (Search Engine Optimization), one of the most important details that websites often overlook is alt text (alternate text). It helps your website perform better, and it is also an important factor in your Google ranking. Why alt text matters for SEO Alt text is HTML code that describes what an image shows. It [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":10639,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":"","rank_math_title":"SEO: 8 Ways Alt Text Helps Promote Your Website","rank_math_description":"Image alt text is one of the most overlooked SEO details. Learn how to write it, which keywords to use and how AI can help. Need SEO help? Talk to us.","rank_math_focus_keyword":"alt text seo"},"categories":[235],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-15198","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-seo-website-promotion"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/web-mate.gr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/15198","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/web-mate.gr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/web-mate.gr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/web-mate.gr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/web-mate.gr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=15198"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/web-mate.gr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/15198\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":15402,"href":"https:\/\/web-mate.gr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/15198\/revisions\/15402"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/web-mate.gr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/10639"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/web-mate.gr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=15198"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/web-mate.gr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=15198"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/web-mate.gr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=15198"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}