Overview
Adding ALT text to images is essential for improving accessibility and boosting SEO rankings. ALT text provides context for users who rely on screen readers and helps search engines understand the content of your images. This guide will walk you through the process of checking and adding ALT text to your images within WordPress.
Step 1: Manually Add ALT Text via the Media Library
Using the Media Library
1. Log in to your WordPress Dashboard.
2. Navigate to Media → Library.
3. Click on an image to open the Attachment Details panel.
4. Locate the “Alternative Text” field.
5. Enter a descriptive, keyword-rich ALT text. For example:
• ✅ Good: “Golden retriever playing fetch in a park on a sunny day.”
• ❌ Bad: “Dog” or “Image123.jpg”
6. Click Save to update the image details.
Step 2: Add ALT Text Directly in Posts or Pages
Within the WordPress Editor
1. Open a post or page in the WordPress Editor (Gutenberg or Classic Editor).
2. Click on an image block to select the image.
3. In the right-hand sidebar, find the “ALT Text” field.
4. Enter descriptive ALT text that reflects the image’s content and context.
5. Click Update or Publish to save your changes.
Step 4: Verify ALT Text Updates
Manual Verification
• Inspect Elements: Open a page in your browser, right-click an image, and select Inspect Element to check that the ALT text is present.
• Content Reviews: Periodically review a sample of images to ensure ALT text remains descriptive and accurate.
Best Practices for ALT Text
• Be Descriptive: Clearly describe the image’s content in a concise manner (preferably under 125 characters).
• Use Keywords Naturally: Incorporate relevant keywords, but avoid keyword stuffing.
• Context Matters: Ensure the ALT text reflects the purpose of the image, especially if it functions as a call-to-action (e.g., “Buy Now button”).
• Avoid Redundancy: Do not include phrases like “image of” or “picture of” as screen readers already indicate the element is an image.
• Decorative Images: For images that are purely decorative, consider leaving the ALT attribute empty or using role=”presentation”.
Conclusion
Ensuring that all images on your WordPress site have descriptive ALT text is key to enhancing both accessibility and SEO performance. By regularly updating ALT text—whether manually through the Media Library or automatically via plugins—you can provide a better user experience and improve your site’s search engine visibility. Make ALT text audits a standard part of your site maintenance routine to keep your content optimized and accessible.
