Is my image decorative or informative? (Does my image require alt text?)

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?)

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)

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").

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.)

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.

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

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