Write unique, descriptive alt text for all meaningful images.
- Write unique, descriptive alt text for all meaningful images14 cited sources14 categories
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Why this matters
Alt text improves accessibility, explains images to search engines, and supports image and AI search relevance.
Hypothetical standard operating procedure
Adapt this example to your site, access, tools, and change process. It is our suggested procedure, informed by the sources below.
- For each image, describe what it depicts from a visual and contextual standpoint.
- Include relevant product or topic keywords only if natural and accurate.
- Omit redundant phrases like 'image of' or 'photo of'.
- Use empty alt="" for decorative images to keep screen readers unburdened.
- Regularly audit site images for missing or duplicated alt text.
Watch for
Missing or keyword-stuffed alt text harms accessibility and can be ignored or penalized by search engines.
Definition of done
All content images include concise, accurate alt text describing visible content without keyword stuffing.
Sources & attribution
- Image SEO: The Checklist That Wins Visibility and Speed ↗
- Image SEO Best Practices ↗
- How to Optimize Content for ChatGPT ↗
- Multi-Location SEO Research Report ↗
- Landing Page Audit Tool ↗
- 10 Common SEO Mistakes to Fix ↗
- Common SEO Mistakes ↗
- How to Find SEO Errors: A Practical Audit Checklist ↗
- The Technical SEO Checklist: 30 Checks That Actually Matter ↗
- On-Page SEO Checklist for Small Businesses | BrandPepper ↗
- SEO Best Practices for B2C | DMB.SG ↗
- How to Do Product Page SEO: The Definitive Guide ↗
- Webpage Manual Auditing Checklist | State of Vermont Communication ↗
- Accessibility SEO Best Practices for Better Website Design and UX - SEO Insights ↗
Original checklist wording and example SOP by Best SEO Checklist, using source-grounded AI assistance. Editorial contact: Ted Kubaitis, @tedkubaitis on Teams. Check current source guidance before implementation.