Do alt tags still matter for image rankings?
What alt text does
Alt text is a short description attached to an image in the page code. Search engines use it to understand what a picture shows, which can help image search results. Screen reader users depend on it to know what an image conveys.
Think about the image's job on the page before you describe it. A product photo needs the product name and key feature, while a team photo may only need names and roles.
Writing useful descriptions
Describe the image plainly in a short phrase, and mention the key subject when it fits naturally. Decorative images can use empty alt text so they are skipped. Avoid listing a string of keywords, since that reads poorly and does not help.
Review alt text when you replace an image, since old descriptions can linger and describe something no longer shown.
Where images fit in ranking
Images add context to a page, and descriptive alt text can contribute a little relevance. Image search can bring in traffic for some businesses, especially for products. Treat alt text as a supporting detail rather than a main ranking lever.
Keep alt text short enough that a screen reader does not read a paragraph.
Common mistakes
- Stuffing the main keyword into every image on the page.
- Leaving alt text blank on product photos that need it.
