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What is Alt text?

Alt text is the short description attached to an image. It helps Google understand the image and helps people using screen readers.

Quick answer

Alt text is the short description attached to an image. It helps Google understand the image and helps people using screen readers.

What it means

Alt text is the short description attached to an image. It helps Google understand the image and helps people using screen readers. In normal terms, it is one small part of how Google and people understand your site.

Why it matters

It matters because images are invisible to search engines unless you describe them. Good alt text can help image search, accessibility and the general meaning of the page.

What to do about it

Describe the image in normal words. If the image is only decoration, leave the alt text empty. If it shows your product, place, team or work, say what is in it.

Bloom's take

Bloom flags missing image descriptions when they are likely to matter, then turns them into a small task you can fix in minutes.

Related terms

Questions people ask

What is Alt text in simple terms?

Alt text is the short description attached to an image. It helps Google understand the image and helps people using screen readers.

Does alt text matter for SEO?

Yes, when it affects whether Google can understand, trust or show your page. It is not always the biggest job on the list, but it is worth fixing when it blocks traffic or confuses visitors.

How do I check alt text on my site?

Start with the page itself, then use Google Search Console or a simple site scan. Look for the issue on important pages first, not every tiny page you have ever published.

Can Bloom help with alt text?

Yes. Bloom turns this into a plain task when it matters. If it is technical or fiddly, you can also hand it to a Bloom specialist from inside the app.

Next step

Want this checked on your site? See Bloom features, or see how Bloom turns SEO issues into plain tasks.