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Set Image Alt Text

Last updated: October 07 2024

Written and researched by experts at Avada Learn more about our methodology

Adding image alt text on Shopify is a simple yet crucial step for improving accessibility and SEO. Alt text helps visually impaired users understand your images while allowing search engines to index them.

In this guide, we’ll explain image alt text and why it matters and walk you through the steps to set it for your products, collections, and blog posts. Let’s get started on making your Shopify store more accessible and search-friendly!

What Image ALT Text and Its Importance for Accessibility and SEO

Image alt text (or “alternative text”) is a short description added to images on a webpage. It is written into the image’s HTML tag and serves as a text-based alternative for users who cannot see the image, especially those using screen readers. It also provides a fallback in case the image fails to load.

Here’s why image alt text is super important for both accessibility and SEO:

  • Accessibility: Visually impaired users understand the content of images through screen readers, making your site more inclusive and user-friendly.
  • SEO (Search Engine Optimization): Helps search engines understand the image’s content and context, improving your page’s visibility in search results, including Google Images.
  • Image Search Ranking: Optimized alt text increases the chances of your images appearing in Google Image searches, driving additional traffic to your website.
  • Improved User Experience: If an image fails to load, the alt text provides context, ensuring users can still understand the content.
  • Voice Search and Digital Assistants: Voice search and digital assistants like Siri and Alexa are becoming more popular. These tools often rely on alt text to describe images to users. Therefore, well-written alt text makes your content more helpful and accessible for people using these technologies.

When writing alt text, remember to be specific, descriptive, and concise. Aim for 125 characters or fewer. Accurately describe the image, include any text, and explain its function if it’s interactive (like a button).

How To Set Image ALT Text For Products On Shopify

Step 1: Access the Products Section

From your Shopify admin dashboard, access the Products section by selecting “Products” from the left-hand menu.

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Step 2: Select the Product

In the Products list, find and click on the product you want to edit.

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Step 3: Open the Image Editor

Scroll down to the Media section, where the product images are displayed. Click on the image you want to edit to open the image editor.

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Step 4: Enter the Alt Text

  • In the image editor, you will see a field labeled Alt text on the right-hand side.
  • Enter a descriptive alt text in this field that accurately represents the image. For example, “A black crew neck t-shirt made from 100% cotton, perfect for casual wear”.
  • After entering the alt text, click the “Save” button at the top right of the screen to apply the changes.

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How To Set Image ALT Text For A Collection Or Blog Post Featured Image

For A Collection

Step 1: Access the Collections or Blog Section

From your Shopify admin dashboard, navigate to the Product section > Collections.

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Step 2: Select the Collection

Select one where you want to add alt text for the featured image.

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Scroll down to the Image section on the collection or blog post page. Click the image to edit.

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Step 4: Enter Alt Text

  • A pop-up window will appear, allowing you to enter the alt text for the image. Provide concise, descriptive alt text that reflects the image’s content.
  • After entering the alt text, click the “Save” button in the pop-up window.

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Step 5: Save the Collection or Blog Post

Remember to click the “Save” button at the bottom of the page.

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For Blog Post Featured Image

Step 1: Navigate to Blog Posts

From the Shopify admin, go to Online Store > Blog Posts. Click on the blog post you want to edit.

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Step 2: Repeat the Same Steps for Setting Image ALT Text for Collections

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Final Thoughts

I hope this guide has helped you understand the importance of adding alt text to your Shopify store’s images. By following these simple steps, you can improve your store’s accessibility and SEO, making it more user-friendly for everyone. Remember, a small effort like this can have a big impact!

FAQs

To set alt text for an image on Shopify, go to the Product, Collection, or Blog Post page and click on the image you want to edit. Then, in the image editor, find the field labeled "Alt text." Enter a descriptive alt text and click "Save."

You can overlay text on an image in Shopify by customizing your theme. Go to "Online Store" > "Themes" > "Customize," then select the section with an image, like a "slideshow" or "image with text," and add your desired text in the provided fields.

To change image settings, go to "Online Store" > "Themes" > "Customize." From here, you can adjust image sizes, layouts, and other display settings for different sections of your store.

When writing alt text for product images, be specific and descriptive. Use fewer than 125 characters, describe the image clearly (e.g., "Black cotton t-shirt with crew neck"), and include any relevant details or text on the image.
Sam
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Sam Nguyen is the CEO and founder of Avada Commerce, an e-commerce solution provider headquartered in Singapore. He is an expert on the Shopify e-commerce platform for online stores and retail point-of-sale systems. Sam loves talking about e-commerce and he aims to help over a million online businesses grow and thrive.