How do I add alt text to images in Shopify for SEO and accessibility?

What Is Alt Text and Why It Matters

Adding alt text (alternative text) to images in your Shopify store is essential for both SEO and accessibility. Alt text helps search engines understand your images and allows visually impaired customers using screen readers to understand your content.

What Is Alt Text?

Alt text is a short, descriptive explanation of an image that:

• Displays if the image fails to load
• Is read aloud by screen readers for visually impaired users
• Helps search engines understand and index images
• Improves overall SEO and accessibility compliance

Key Benefits of Alt Text

• SEO: Helps search engines rank your images in Google Image Search
• Accessibility: Supports users relying on assistive technologies
• User Experience: Provides context when images don’t load
• Compliance: Supports WCAG (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines)

Best Practices for Writing Alt Text

Recommended Length

• Ideal length: 125 characters or less
• Maximum supported: 512 characters
• Keep it clear, concise, and descriptive

What You Should Do

• Use relevant keywords naturally from the page content
• Write readable, human-friendly descriptions
• Describe the image as if explaining to someone with closed eyes
• Consider your business context and page intent
• Be specific and accurate

What You Should Avoid

• Keyword stuffing
• Vague terms like “image” or “photo”
• Adding “image of” or “picture of” (screen readers already announce this)
• Writing promotional or opinion-based descriptions

Alt Text Examples

Poor: Two people in front of the ocean

Good (Travel Agency): Two friends traveling in Lagos, Portugal overlooking Praia do Camilo beach

Good (Outdoor Store): Two hikers wearing waterproof backpacks overlooking coastal cliffs

Good (Product Image): Men’s waterproof hiking boots in black leather

How to Add Alt Text in Shopify

1. Add Alt Text to Product Images

Desktop:

1. Go to Shopify Admin → Products
2. Select the product
3. Click the image
4. Click Edit alt text
5. Enter a description and click Save alt text

Mobile (Shopify App):

1. Tap Products
2. Select the product
3. Tap the media item
4. Tap Information
5. Add alt text → Tap Save or ✓

2. Add Alt Text to Collection Featured Images

1. Go to Products → Collections
2. Click the collection
3. Click Update → Edit image
4. Add alt text → Save

3. Add Alt Text to Blog Post Featured Images

1. Go to Content → Blog posts
2. Select the post
3. Click Update → Edit image
4. Add alt text → Save

4. Add Alt Text to Theme Images (Banners, Logos, Sliders)

Desktop:

1. Online Store → Themes
2. Click Edit theme
3. Select the section containing the image
4. Click Edit → Add alt text → Save

Mobile:

1. Open Shopify App → Online Store
2. Manage all themes → Edit theme
3. Select section → Edit image
4. Add alt text → Save

5. Add Alt Text Using the Media Editor (AI Suggestions)

Shopify’s Media Editor allows you to manually add alt text or use AI-generated suggestions for images that don’t already have descriptions.

1. From your Shopify admin, go to the media file you want to edit.
2. Click the thumbnail to open the file editor.
3. In the Edit information section, click inside the Alt text field.
4. Do one of the following:
   • If there’s a suggested alt text, review it and click Accept to use it, or edit it as needed.
   • If there’s no suggested alt text, or if you prefer writing your own, enter a brief and descriptive explanation of the image.
5. When you’re done making edits, click Save.

Important: Accepting suggested alt text saves the description directly to the media file. Always review AI-generated suggestions to ensure accuracy, keyword relevance, and alignment with your brand context.

Bulk Upload Alt Text Using CSV

1. Export products as a CSV file
2. Add alt text in the correct column
3. Import the updated CSV back into Shopify

Alt Text Checklist

• Add alt text to product images
• Optimize collection and blog images
• Add alt text to banners and logos
• Keep descriptions under 125 characters when possible
• Use keyword-rich but natural phrases
• Review AI-generated text before accepting
• Avoid vague or stuffed descriptions

SEO Benefits of Alt Text in Shopify

• Improves image search visibility
• Strengthens page relevance signals
• Enhances user experience
• Supports accessibility compliance standards

Properly optimized alt text improves search rankings, accessibility compliance, and overall user experience in your Shopify store.