# Image Alt Text Generator

> Upload an image and generate SEO-friendly alt text descriptions

**Category:** Text
**Keywords:** alt text, image description, SEO, accessibility, a11y, screen reader, web accessibility, image alt, alt attribute, image SEO
**URL:** https://complete.tools/image-alt-text-generator

## How to Write Good Alt Text

**Be specific and descriptive.** Instead of writing "dog," write "golden retriever puppy sitting on a wooden porch." Specificity helps both screen reader users and search engines understand exactly what the image shows.

**Include relevant keywords naturally.** If the image appears on a page about hiking in Colorado, mentioning "Colorado mountain trail" in the alt text helps search engines connect the image to the page topic. Avoid keyword stuffing — the text should read naturally.

**Keep it concise.** Most SEO experts recommend 80 to 125 characters for optimal search performance. Screen readers may truncate or become cumbersome with text longer than 150 characters. Say what matters and stop.

**Do not start with "Image of" or "Picture of."** Screen readers already announce that an element is an image. Starting with these phrases is redundant and wastes precious characters.

**Consider the image's function.** A product photo needs different alt text than a decorative background. Ask yourself: if this image disappeared, what information would the reader lose? That missing information is what your alt text should convey.

**Match the page context.** The same photo of a laptop might need different alt text on a tech review page versus an office furniture catalog. Always consider where the image lives and what purpose it serves on that specific page.

## Alt Text for Different Use Cases

**SEO-Optimized:** Focuses on naturally incorporating target keywords while describing the image. Best for blog posts, landing pages, and content marketing where organic search traffic matters. Aim for 80-125 characters.

**Descriptive (Accessibility):** Prioritizes thoroughness for screen reader users. Describes colors, spatial relationships, emotions, and context. Best for educational content, news articles, and any site that values inclusive design. Can extend to 150 characters when detail matters.

**Brief:** Ultra-concise descriptions under 60 characters. Best for social media thumbnails, icon-like images, or contexts where the image supplements text that already provides full context.

**E-Commerce:** Structured for product listings and shopping search results. Includes product name, color, material, and key features. Follows patterns that perform well in Google Shopping and image search. Aim for 80-125 characters with product-specific terminology.

## How to use

1. Upload an image for visual reference using the drag-and-drop area, or skip this step if you prefer
2. Describe what is in the image in the text field — include subjects, actions, setting, colors, and any visible text
3. Optionally add page context such as the topic, target keywords, or where the image will be used
4. Select your preferred alt text style: SEO-Optimized, Descriptive, Brief, or E-Commerce
5. Click "Generate Alt Text" to receive three AI-generated options
6. Review the options and their character counts, then click "Copy Text" or "Copy as HTML" to use your preferred option

## FAQs

**Q:** Why does the tool ask me to describe the image instead of analyzing it automatically?


**A:** The AI generates alt text from your description to ensure accuracy. You know the context, purpose, and important details of your image better than any automated system. This approach produces more relevant and useful alt text than pure image recognition.


**Q:** How long should alt text be?


**A:** For SEO purposes, 80-125 characters is the sweet spot. Screen readers handle up to about 150 characters comfortably. The tool shows character counts for each option so you can choose the right length. For decorative images, use an empty alt attribute instead.


**Q:** Should every image have alt text?


**A:** Informational images should always have descriptive alt text. Decorative images that add no content value should use an empty alt attribute (alt="") so screen readers skip them. Never omit the alt attribute entirely — that causes screen readers to read the file name, which is a poor experience.


**Q:** Does alt text affect SEO rankings?


**A:** Yes. Search engines use alt text to understand image content and relevance to the page. Well-written alt text helps images appear in Google Image Search and contributes to the overall topical relevance of your page. It is one of the most overlooked SEO fundamentals.


**Q:** Can I use the same alt text for the same image on different pages?


**A:** You can, but it is better to tailor alt text to each page's context. The same product photo might emphasize different features depending on whether it appears on a category page, a comparison article, or a buying guide. Context-specific alt text performs better for both SEO and accessibility.


**Q:** What is the difference between alt text and image captions?


**A:** Alt text is hidden in the HTML and read by screen readers and search engines. Captions are visible text displayed below or beside an image for all users to see. They serve different purposes — alt text replaces the image when it cannot be seen, while captions supplement the image with additional context.

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*Generated from [complete.tools/image-alt-text-generator](https://complete.tools/image-alt-text-generator)*