An alt image tag, also known as an alt attribute or alt text, is a component of web accessibility and search engine optimization (SEO). It serves as descriptive text associated with an image on a website, providing alternative content that can be read by screen readers for visually impaired users who may not be able to see the image. Alt image tags play a vital role in making web content more inclusive and accessible to individuals with disabilities, ensuring that they can understand and engage with visual information presented on the site.
In addition to enhancing accessibility, alt image tags also have implications for SEO. Search engines rely on alt text to understand the content and context of images since they cannot interpret visual content directly. By including relevant keywords and descriptive phrases in alt image tags, website owners can improve the visibility and ranking of their web pages in search engine results pages (SERPs). Strategic use of alt text not only helps search engines index and rank images more accurately but also increases the likelihood of driving organic traffic to the website.