What Makes a Web Image "Decorative" and not need Alt Text?
Published by Campbell M Gold in Misc · Monday 01 Jan 2024 · 1:15
Tags: web, image, decorative, image, alt, text, visual, appeal, accessibility, crucial, information, page, content, image, importance
Tags: web, image, decorative, image, alt, text, visual, appeal, accessibility, crucial, information, page, content, image, importance
What Makes a Web Image "Decorative"?
I've often wondered what makes a Web Image "Decorative" and thereby not need Alt Text... Here's the answer…
Clarification
A web image is considered decorative, and therefore doesn't need alt text, if it's there for visual appeal or doesn't convey crucial information about the page's content or function. Thus, if removing the image doesn't impact the page's meaning or accessibility, it's decorative.
Decorative images should have an empty alt attribute (alt="") so that screen readers and other assistive technologies ignore them.
Characteristics of Decorative Images
No Informative Value - The image doesn't provide additional information that isn't already present in the surrounding text or context.
Primarily for Aesthetics - The image is used for visual appeal, layout, or branding rather than conveying content not in the surrounding text or context.
Redundant with Text - The information the image might convey is already explained in the surrounding text.
Not Functionally Important - The image doesn't act as a link, button, or any other interactive element.
Decorative Image Examples
- Borders, spacers, or corners
- Images used as icons next to text
- "Eye-candy" or images used solely to enhance the visual aesthetics of a page
- Background images that are purely decorative
- Images that are already described or explained in the surrounding text
There you have it... That's clear enough…
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