Is my image decorative or informative, or is it a link? (Does my image require alt text?)

← Accessibility

When adding an image to a webpage, it may help to start with a question: Is the image decorative or is it informative (i.e., does it help readers understand content that is not explained elsewhere?), or is the image a link?

1. Is the image decorative?

A decorative image does not add important information to the page.

If the answer is yes, the image may be treated as decorative and the image's alt text can be left blank. In WordPress, leaving alt text blank keeps it marked as decorative.

Examples of decorative images:

Background images
Photos that show campus buildings or students walking around that are used simply to fill space or add color to a page

2. Is the image informative?

An informative image adds meaning to the page. It helps users understand content that is not explained elsewhere.

If the answer is yes, the image is informative and you can add meaningful alt text to the image. Alt text is a short written description that tells screen‑reader users what an image shows or what its purpose is when they can’t see it. The image may be used for style, mood, or to provide the reader with informative context that helps them to understand the content of the page.

Examples of informative images:

Photos that show something not explained in the surrounding text (for example, the ribbon-cutting ceremony of a new building)
Maps
Images with text in them that is informative
Images that help to create a mood or add an emotional element to a page (for example, a photo showing students learning how to use new technology that inspires the reader)

Read our articles on What to do if an image with informative text gets flagged for accessibility?

and How do I handle an image that is emotion-driven and keep it accessible? for more information.

3. Is the image a link?

When an image is used as a link, alt text is required. The alt text must describe the action or destination, not the visual content.

Start with an action word: Read, View, Open, Explore
Focus on what happens when the user clicks the linked image

Examples of good alt text for linked images:

“Read the April 2026 newsletter”
“View the Biology program details”
“Open student research showcase”

Do not:

Describe the image itself (e.g., “Screenshot of newsletter”)
Leave alt text blank
Repeat visible text unnecessarily

If an image is clickable, it is not decorative and must have meaningful alt text.

What Should Alt Text Include?

Alt text is usually a short, clear and focused description on important details displayed in the image. If the image adds an emotional element to the page, you can describe the mood or emotion it conveys (for example, a photo of a a group of graduates at convocation can have alt text that reads, "Graduates throwing their caps in the air, celebrating with friends").

Read our article on How do I handle an image that is emotion-driven and keep it accessible? for more information.

How WordPress Handles Alt Text

When alt text is added during image upload in WordPress, it is typically included in the page’s HTML automatically. When the alt text field is left blank, WordPress interprets that to mean that the image is purely decorative. (See screenshot below for where to add alt text to an image in your Media Library when you need it.)

Image: https://gsu.uservoice.com/assets/247520341/Screenshot%202026-03-03%20at%2010.26.19%20PM(1).jpg

A Simple Way to Decide

If the image adds meaning to your page, it is informative and may need alt text.
If the image adds style only, it is decorative and may be left blank.
If the image links to another page or document, it requires alt text.

Thinking about whether an image is decorative or informative can make webpages more accessible for everyone.