Images are invisible. The disaster of empty Alt Text
1. The Power of Good “Alt Text”
Have you ever disabled images on a website or waited for them to load on a slow connection? Those texts that appear in place of the graphic are the Alternative Text (Alt Text).
Many people think it’s a place to stuff keywords, but its real function is to describe the image for those who cannot see it. Ironically, the better you describe the image for a human (like a screen reader user), the better Google’s algorithm will understand it.
Descriptive
Don't use "photo1". Use "Orange cat sleeping on a mechanical keyboard".
Lightweight
Use modern formats like WebP or AVIF so your speed doesn't suffer.
Contextual
The image must add value to the surrounding text.
2. Three Errors Killing Your Visual SEO
It’s not just about uploading pretty stock photos. If you want your content to be a true masterpiece, avoid this:
- Undefined Dimensions: If you don’t tell the browser how big the image is before it loads, you’ll cause content shifts (high CLS). And we already know Core Web Vitals are sacred.
- Forgetting the Filename: “DSIM_9932.jpg” means nothing. “seo-expert-guide-2026.webp” tells Google what it’s about before even opening the file.
- Ignoring Modern Formats: Using giant PNGs in 2026 is like trying to run a marathon in hiking boots. Switch to WebP or AVIF today.
Do Your Images Know Who They Are?
Auditing every single image on your web is a nightmare. With SEO Expert, we've included an Image Debug tool that visually highlights which images don't have Alt Text, which ones are too heavy, and which ones are breaking your design.
3. The Connection Between Design and Ethics
Quality SEO always goes hand-in-hand with accessibility. When you design with inclusivity in mind, Google notices. For example, following modern security pillars or maintaining high-efficiency code are ways of caring for the user. Visual SEO is another one of those pieces.
Quick accessibility tips:
- If the image is purely decorative (a border, an ornament), set the
altto empty (alt=""). This way, screen readers know they can ignore it. - Don’t put important text inside the image. Google is improving image reading, but it will always be safer to put it in the real HTML (with a good semantic hierarchy).
Tip: Silent Diagnosis
Use SEO Expert's visual diagnosis mode to see your site as Google does. Images without descriptions will appear with a warning frame.
4. Conclusion: Make Your Web Visible for Everyone
Visual SEO is the most direct way to prove to Google that you care about your user’s experience. Don’t let multimedia content be a barrier, but a window into your brand.
Dare to scan your images today? Activate our extension and discover what Google (and many users) are missing.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) about Visual SEO
Q. Does the image title (Title tag) help with SEO?
It helps a bit, but the `alt` attribute is much more important. The `title` is the text that appears when hovering, while the `alt` defines the image for the search engine.
Q. Does file size influence image SEO?
Absolutely! A heavy image slows down the total page load. Google prefers fast sites, so compressing your images without losing quality is key to rising in the rankings.