Alternative text communicates an image's purpose to people who cannot see it. Write it for the image's context on the page rather than filling the field with keywords or a filename.
IN THIS ARTICLE
01 Decide what the image contributes
An informative image needs a concise description of the relevant information. A purely decorative image can use an empty alternative or the editor's decorative setting where available. An image that acts as a link or button should communicate its function, not only its appearance.
For a chart or complex diagram, provide the key information in nearby text or a fuller accessible explanation. A very long alternative text is usually not a good substitute for structured data readers need to explore.
02 Set the text in the right place
- Select the image in the page editor and review its alternative-text field.
- Describe the useful content in plain language, avoiding an unnecessary opening such as Image of.
- If it is decorative, confirm that it adds no information or function before marking it accordingly.
- Save the page and inspect the image's published alternative text or use an appropriate accessibility check.
Does changing Media Library alt text update every existing image block?
Alternative text stored in the Media Library can provide a default for later insertions. An already inserted Image block can hold its own value, so editing the library field does not guarantee that every existing use changes.
The same image can need different wording in different contexts. A photograph of a product may identify the item in one page and demonstrate a particular installation detail in another.
03 Verify quality and avoid duplication
Read the surrounding sentence and caption together with the alternative text. Avoid repeating identical information unnecessarily. Do not use the alternative text field for a long copyright notice or unrelated marketing phrases.
If a linked image has no visible text, check that its accessible name makes the destination clear. If a theme renders images outside normal content blocks, inspect those outputs separately. A filled Media Library field alone does not prove the theme actually uses it correctly. Include alternative-text review in the publishing checklist so new images do not silently lose the context readers need.