Writing effective Alt text: Tips, tricks, and resources

EDIB, Gender and Multilingualism
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Hi everyone,

I just read this post on The Scholarly Kitchen about making images truly accessible (link here, with audio version), and it really clarified a lot for me. I’ve known alt text exists, but I wasn’t confident on how to write it properly.

One thing that surprised me: good alt text doesn’t just help people who can’t see the image, it also improves indexing, discoverability, and content reuse!

Quick clarification:

  • Alt text: a short description that conveys the key information or purpose of the image.
  • Long description: for complex visuals (like charts, graphs, or multi-part figures), this is a detailed explanation, usually in the text, that provides all the context someone might need.

The article gives 10 concrete tips for writing alt text:

  1. Focus on the purpose of the image: What is the reader supposed to get from it?
  2. Keep it concise: Short and precise is better for screen readers.
  3. Include essential information only: Don’t overload it with unnecessary details.
  4. Use full sentences when appropriate: Makes it easier to understand.
  5. Avoid duplicating the caption or surrounding text: Alt text should add value, not repeat.
  6. Use long descriptions for complex images: Charts, maps, or diagrams may need a separate, detailed description.
  7. Write alt text while preparing the content: Don’t leave it for last minute.
  8. Use keywords thoughtfully: Helps with discoverability but avoid stuffing.
  9. Test for clarity: Imagine explaining the image to someone totally new to the topic.
  10. Check with a screen reader: Hear how your alt text sounds to make sure it works.

I didn’t realize how much accessible images can increase both accessibility and the reach of your work. Even a small effort in writing clear alt text and long descriptions can make a big difference.

The article also touches on AI tools. They can help draft alt text quickly, but it’s important to review and adapt the output to make sure it’s accurate, concise, and contextually relevant. AI is a support, not a replacement.

Finally, I want to highlight the infographic in the article, which I found very clear and helpful, it’s definitely worth sharing with colleagues to make accessible image practices more tangible!

Source: Beyond Open Access, Part II: Make Images Truly Accessible for All, The Scholarly Kitchen Blog. Amanda Rogers, Beth Richard, Carsten Borchert, Lou Peck, Simon Holt
Beyond-OA-article-image-description-recommendation-packet.pdf (8.6 MB)

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There was a recent webinar run by OASPA where Open Book Publishers discussed how they were using AI to streamline processes and using AI to draft INITIALLY alt-text was one of the things i’ve started doing following that. You can read more in their follow up blog: Navigating AI in Academic Publishing: Balancing Efficiency, Expertise and Ethics

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Thanks, Anna, for your reply! I was wondering how exactly you use AI in this context. Do you usually provide the AI with the image and ask it to generate the alt-text directly? And do you already have a prepared prompt that includes the key dos and don’ts it should follow? One possible approach I’m considering is to share the image with the AI along with a structured prompt that outlines best practices, tips, and important cautions to ensure the output is both accessible and accurate (avoiding unnecessary details, subjective interpretation, or repetition as the authors from the articles outline) :thinking:.

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A simple command ‘generate alt text’ and upload the image. Another command is ‘make shorter and more precise for social media’ (which is better for screen readers) but sometimes this takes out too much detail. I always check for American spellings. And i do find co-pilot does not follow best practise eg. it says ‘graphic of …’, ‘image of …’ So in conclusion, AI can help generate alt text and save time but it needs a human eye to make sure it is truly accessible!