Image Alt Text
All meaningful images have descriptive alt text; decorative images are marked empty.
Check
All <img> elements have an alt attribute. Meaningful images: alt describes what the image shows and why it matters in context. Decorative images: alt="" (empty string — not "image" or "photo"). Icon buttons: alt text or aria-label describes the action.
Why This Matters
Screen reader users hear the alt text instead of seeing the image. "image" is useless; "Chart showing 40% increase in conversion after redesign" is informative. Empty alt on decorative images prevents noise.
Category
Accessibility
Priority
critical
How to Verify
Run axe DevTools. Check "Images" rule violations. Manually review complex images (charts, diagrams) — automated tools cannot evaluate whether alt text is accurate.