How do I add ‘Alt’ text to images in WordPress?

The short answer is that in WordPress, you add ‘Alt’ text by clicking on the image, then selecting ‘Choose Image’, and finally changing the ‘Alt’ text field to include your targeted keywords. This process helps enhance your website’s SEO by making images more accessible and relevant to search engines.

Full Explanation

Adding ‘Alt’ text to images in WordPress is a straightforward way to improve the SEO value of your website. The ‘Alt’ text describes the image content for both users who cannot see the image and search engines crawling your site. By inserting keywords into the ‘Alt’ text field, you signal to search engines what your image represents, which can boost the findability of your content.

Step-by-Step Breakdown

  1. Click on the image you want to edit within your WordPress editor or media library.
  2. Select ‘Choose Image’ to open the image detail or media details panel.
  3. Locate the ‘Alt’ text field within the image details.
  4. Enter or change the ‘Alt’ text to include the specific keywords or descriptive text relevant to your content focus.
  5. Save or update your post or page to apply the changes.

Real Examples

For instance, if you have an image of a blue widget, you would click the image, choose it, then update the ‘Alt’ text to something like “blue widget” or “blue widget for home use.” This directly associates the image with those keywords.

Common Mistakes

  • Not adding any ‘Alt’ text at all, which misses an SEO opportunity.
  • Ignoring the keyword relevance when writing ‘Alt’ text.
  • Leaving default or generic text like “image1” that offers no value.

FAQs

Can I add ‘Alt’ text to images already uploaded?
Yes, by clicking on the image in your WordPress media library or editor and editing the ‘Alt’ text field.

Does ‘Alt’ text impact SEO?
Yes, it helps search engines understand image context, improving content relevance.

Key Takeaways

  • Always click on the image to access its settings.
  • Use the ‘Choose Image’ option to enter the ‘Alt’ text area.
  • Include focused keywords in the ‘Alt’ text for better SEO.
  • Consistently update ‘Alt’ text for both new and existing images.