Definition of Alt Text
Alt text (alternative text) is a short written description of an image that appears when the image can't be displayed or when a screen reader is used. It tells readers what they're missing visually.
Having it on all graphics and images makes your newsletter accessible to everyone.
Why you should care
Alt text serves three jobs for newsletter creators:
- It makes your content accessible to visually impaired subscribers
- It provides context when images are blocked, which happens more often than you think
- Alt text adds SEO value by giving search engines more content to understand
The biggest struggle is writing effective alt text that's both descriptive and concise. Many creators either skip it completely or write vague descriptions like "image" or "graphic," missing a key opportunity to engage readers who can't see images.
Some resources we rely on
Ask Claude for help with Alt Text
Copy and paste this prompt into Claude or the AI of your choice. Be sure to tweak the context for your situation.
alt-text.mdmarkdown
<goal>
Help me implement effective alt text in my newsletter images to improve accessibility and engagement.
</goal>
<context>
* Currently have multiple images in my newsletter
* Rarely use alt text or use generic descriptions like "image" or "graphic"
* Want to make my newsletter more accessible
</context>
<output>
Please provide:
* 5 specific formulas for writing effective alt text for different image types
* Examples for each formula applied to common newsletter scenarios
* A quick checklist for evaluating my alt text quality
* Workflow tips to make adding alt text a natural part of my process
</output>
<example>
Alt text formula for data visualization:
- "[Chart type] showing [key insight] about [topic] from [time period]"
- Example: "Bar chart showing email engagement increasing 23% when using alt text from Jan-June 2023"
</example>
<guardrails>
* Keep alt text recommendations under 125 characters
* Focus on practical implementation in common ESPs
* Balance descriptiveness with brevity
</guardrails>