What is alt text?
Definition
Alt text is a short written description attached to an image on a web page. Screen readers read it aloud for people who cannot see the image, and it is shown if the image fails to load. Search engines also use it to understand the image.
Why it matters for sellers
For a seller, alt text makes product photos accessible to shoppers who use screen readers. A buyer who cannot see the photo still needs to know the color, material and shape. Good alt text also helps the image make sense when it does not load on a slow connection.
It can also support search. Describing the product in plain words, such as the item, color and view, gives search engines context. Keep it honest and short, because stuffing keywords makes it worse for everyone.
How to do it with Instasize
Instasize does not write or store alt text. What it does is prepare the image itself, and you then add the description on your store or marketplace.
- Remove a distracting background so the product is the clear subject.
- Resize the image to the size your platform asks for.
- Export it as a JPG or PNG, or compress it if the file is large.
- Upload it to your store, and find the alt text or image description field for that image.
- Write one plain sentence describing what is shown, such as the item, color and view.
Related Instasize pages
Examples
A product photo
Alt text such as red ceramic mug with a white handle, seen from the side tells the shopper what the image shows. Avoid starting with image of or photo of.
A decorative image
If an image adds nothing, such as a plain divider, many platforms let you leave the alt text empty so screen readers skip it.
Frequently asked questions
Does Instasize write alt text?
No. Instasize does not generate or edit alt text. You add it in your store, marketplace or website editor when you upload the image.
How long should alt text be?
Keep it to a short sentence that says what the image shows. Long lists of keywords are hard to listen to and do not help.
Where do I add alt text?
Most stores have an alt text or image description field in the media or product editor. The exact name and place depend on the platform.
Does the file name matter?
A clear file name can help you organize images, but it does not replace alt text. Write the description in the alt text field.