Should alt text be added to purely decorative stock photos for screen reader users?

Absolutely! Alt text should be added to purely decorative stock photos for screen reader users. Alt text, short for alternative text, is a description that is added to an image's HTML code. It serves as a textual alternative to the image for users who are visually impaired or rely on screen readers to navigate and understand web content.

While decorative images don't convey any meaningful information, they still play a role in the overall design and aesthetics of a webpage. Including alt text for these images ensures that screen reader users are aware that the image is purely decorative and can skip over it without missing any important content.

When adding alt text to decorative stock photos, it's important to keep it concise and descriptive. The alt text should convey that the image is decorative and not essential to understanding the content. For example, you could use alt text like "Decorative stock photo of a sunset" or "Decorative stock photo of a flower bouquet."

By providing alt text for decorative images, you are promoting accessibility and inclusivity on your website. Screen reader users will have a more seamless browsing experience and won't be confused by unnecessary image descriptions. Additionally, search engines rely on alt text to understand the content of images, so providing accurate alt text can also improve your website's SEO.

It's worth noting that there are some cases where alt text may not be necessary for purely decorative images. For example, if the image is purely decorative and doesn't add any value to the overall user experience, you can use an empty alt attribute (alt="") to indicate that the image is decorative and should be ignored by screen readers.

In conclusion, adding alt text to purely decorative stock photos is an important accessibility practice. It ensures that screen reader users can navigate and understand your website's content effectively. By providing accurate and concise alt text, you are creating a more inclusive and user-friendly experience for all visitors.

Victor Kling

David enjoys playing basketball, watching movies, and traveling.

Victor is a seasoned UX designer with a focus on crafting accessible interfaces specifically designed for individuals with disabilities. His wide-ranging experience spans across various platforms, including mobile apps and web applications. Victor continually seeks innovative solutions to enhance user experience for all. His dedication to empowering disabled individuals with the latest assistive technology is evident in his work.