By Exovara · Published
Start with the image's job on the page
AI can help draft image descriptions, but a description of the picture alone may miss why it is on your website. Alt text is the text alternative associated with an image. The right wording depends on the information or function the image contributes where it appears. Begin with a few important pages and ask for a reviewed image list. A small site may be quicker to improve directly than through a new automated publishing system.
Give the helper more than the image file
For each image, record the page address, image reference, nearby heading and text, purpose, link destination if any, and facts approved by the business. Include whether the same image appears elsewhere with a different role. Keep uncertain visual details marked for review; do not let a draft invent a material, certification, person's identity or location. Use an approved account and images your business may share. The deliverable is proposed wording and a reason for it, not an automatic upload.
Use a context check with three fictional images
Suppose a service page includes a photograph showing labelled storage bins. If their arrangement explains the service, the draft should convey that useful detail rather than add unsupported claims about the equipment. A purely decorative swirl beside a complete text heading has a different role and may need an empty text alternative. For an image that is the only content of a link to a catalogue, the link purpose must be clear. Record the image, page role, proposed text and reviewer decision. These are written examples, not images or website changes we tested.
Choose a description, a function or no added information
W3C distinguishes informative images from decorative images and images used as links or controls. Its guidance bases the text alternative on the image's purpose and page context; decorative images use an empty alternative rather than an unnecessary description. Keep useful wording concise. A diagram that needs a detailed explanation may also need supporting text on the page. Ask someone familiar with the business to review both the draft and the decision to leave an alternative empty. Do not apply one generated description to every reuse of an image.
Primary guidance checked October 31, 2026. Supports informative, decorative and functional distinctions. No blanket legal compliance claim or automated accessibility approval. W3C: text alternatives depend on the image purpose
Primary writing guidance checked. Supporting page text may be appropriate for complex information; no invented universal character limit. W3C: concise alternatives and decorative-image handling
Check what the website actually publishes
Have the provider demonstrate where the text alternative is edited in your actual website system. A media-library description, visible caption and image alt field can be different settings; verify the result on the page rather than assuming a saved field is used. Google recommends contextual, useful alt text and warns against filling it with keywords. Do not add city or service phrases that contribute no useful meaning. Check linked images in context and ask for an appropriate accessibility review when needed. Completing this image list alone does not establish that the whole site is accessible.
Primary Search Central image guidance checked. Keyword stuffing warning adopted; no ranking, traffic or indexing outcome established. Google: useful alt text in the page context
Related full guide reviewed. This article adds image-purpose decisions and context-specific alt text rather than repeating general editing access. Check the website editing and publication handover
Buy a review process that survives the next image change
A small scope can include the page/image list, proposed descriptions, approved exceptions, publication checks and instructions for future replacements. Keep the reviewed context with each decision so a new photograph or changed link prompts another check. Compare preparation, drafting, business review and website editing effort with writing the alternatives manually. Include setup, software and later maintenance costs; more generated words are not a useful success measure. Exovara can help review website content and the editing handover without promising a ranking increase or treating an AI description as verified fact.
Related full guide reviewed. Image wording must not invent attributes or relationships. Keep generated wording tied to business facts
Existing separately routed website service. No image description implemented, website setting changed or accessibility test performed in this article run. Discuss website content and editing support
Want help putting this to work?
This guide applies across Canada. We provide remote AI consulting for businesses in Edmonton; it does not describe a local client or a staffed office.
AI help in Edmonton · See how we can help · View pricing and scope
Exovara field notes · Educational guidance. Examples are illustrative.
Explore more guides