Update Alt Tags in Elementor for Better Accessibility

Alt tags, or alternative text, play a critical role in web accessibility and search engine optimization (SEO). For websites built with Elementor, ensuring every image includes appropriate alt tags enhances usability for visually impaired users and boosts search engine rankings. Learning how to efficiently update alt tags in Elementor is essential for maintaining an accessible and optimized site.

This guide provides practical steps, tips, and tools to update alt tags in Elementor, helping you improve your website’s inclusivity and visibility.

Why Updating Alt Tags is Important

Alt tags serve several important functions for your website:

• Accessibility: Screen readers use alt tags to describe images, enabling visually impaired users to understand your content.
• SEO: Search engines rely on alt tags to index and rank images, improving your site’s search visibility.
• Error Handling: Alt tags provide a fallback description if an image fails to load.
• User Experience: Properly labeled images help convey context and enhance user engagement.

Understanding Alt Tags in Elementor

In Elementor, images are often added through widgets like Image, Image Box, or Gallery. Each widget allows you to include alt text, ensuring every image serves its intended purpose.

What Makes a Good Alt Tag

An effective alt tag should:

• Accurately describe the image’s content.
• Be concise, ideally under 125 characters.
• Include relevant keywords where appropriate, but avoid keyword stuffing.
• Exclude terms like “image of” or “picture of,” as they are redundant.

How to Update Alt Tags in Elementor

Elementor makes it easy to add or update alt tags for individual images and galleries.

Updating Alt Tags for Single Images

1. Open the Elementor editor for the page containing the image.
2. Select the Image widget you want to update.
3. In the left-hand settings panel, locate the Alt Text field under the Image section.
4. Enter a descriptive and keyword-rich alt tag.
5. Save changes and preview the page to ensure the tag is applied.

Updating Alt Tags for Galleries

1. Edit the Gallery widget in Elementor.
2. Click on each image to open its settings.
3. Add or update the alt text for each image individually.
4. Save and update the gallery settings.

Updating Alt Tags for Background Images

Background images set in sections or columns require additional steps:

1. Select the section or column containing the background image.
2. Open the Style tab in the settings panel.
3. While Elementor doesn’t natively support alt tags for background images, consider replacing the background image with an Image widget if accessibility is a priority.

Tools to Help Update Alt Tags

Manually updating alt tags for every image can be time-consuming. Several tools and plugins simplify the process.

Media Library Assistant

Media Library Assistant allows bulk editing of media file attributes, including alt tags.

• Features:
  • Edit alt tags directly within the WordPress Media Library.
  • Use filters to locate images missing alt text.
  • Apply bulk changes to multiple images.

Learn more at Media Library Assistant.

Auto Image Attributes

This plugin automatically generates alt text and other attributes for uploaded images based on file names or predefined rules.

• Features:
  • Automate alt tag creation for new images.
  • Bulk generate alt tags for existing images.
  • Customizable templates for better control.

Explore Auto Image Attributes.

Screaming Frog SEO Spider

Screaming Frog identifies missing or incomplete alt tags across your site.

• Features:
  • Crawl your website for accessibility and SEO issues.
  • Generate reports on alt tag usage.
  • Export data for bulk updates.

Visit Screaming Frog to get started.

Optimizing Alt Tags for Accessibility and SEO

While adding alt tags is important, optimizing them ensures they deliver maximum impact.

Include Relevant Keywords

Incorporate primary keywords naturally into alt tags. For example, instead of “image1.jpg,” use “modern-kitchen-design.jpg” for a page about interior design.

Avoid Keyword Stuffing

Search engines penalize keyword stuffing. Focus on descriptive and user-friendly text rather than overloading tags with unnecessary keywords.

Ensure Alt Tags Reflect Context

Alt tags should describe an image in the context of the page content. For instance, “blue running shoes on a trail” is more meaningful than “shoes.”

Add Alt Text to Decorative Images

For purely decorative images, use an empty alt attribute (alt="") to prevent screen readers from announcing unnecessary details.

Testing and Reviewing Alt Tags

After updating alt tags, review your site to ensure accuracy and effectiveness.

Use Accessibility Testing Tools

Tools like WAVE Accessibility Checker and Axe Accessibility scan your site for alt tag errors and other accessibility issues.

Preview Pages with Screen Readers

Test your site using a screen reader like NVDA or VoiceOver to verify that alt tags are descriptive and helpful.

Monitor SEO Performance

Track changes in organic traffic and image rankings using tools like Google Analytics or Ahrefs. Improved alt tags should lead to better image SEO performance.

Maintaining Alt Tags Over Time

Alt tags require regular updates to stay relevant as your content evolves.

Create a Maintenance Schedule

Schedule periodic checks to ensure alt tags remain accurate and aligned with current SEO strategies.

Educate Your Team

If multiple contributors manage your Elementor site, provide training on the importance of alt tags and how to add them effectively.

Automate Where Possible

Use plugins like Auto Image Attributes to automate alt tag creation for new uploads.

Benefits of Updating Alt Tags

Updating alt tags offers significant benefits for both accessibility and SEO:

• Enhanced User Experience: Visually impaired users can navigate your site more effectively.
• Improved SEO Rankings: Optimized alt tags help search engines index images, driving more traffic.
• Legal Compliance: Meeting accessibility standards reduces the risk of legal issues.
• Error Prevention: Alt tags serve as fallbacks if images fail to load, improving overall usability.

Conclusion

Updating alt tags in Elementor is a straightforward yet impactful way to enhance your site’s accessibility and SEO. By adding descriptive, optimized alt text to every image, you create an inclusive experience for all users while boosting your site’s visibility in search results.

Leverage the tools and best practices outlined in this guide to streamline your alt tag updates. With consistent effort, you’ll ensure your Elementor-powered site meets accessibility standards and performs better on search engines.