How to Get Images and Captions in Articles Right
Choosing, captioning and describing images in articles so they add information rather than decoration.
Dana Whitfield
At a glance
- Alt text describes the image's purpose for people who cannot see it
- Captions visible text that adds context for all readers
- Decorative images should have empty alt text
- Image search descriptive file names and nearby text help images be understood
Why it matters
Why it matters: Useful images help explain ideas and hold attention, while generic stock photos add weight without meaning.
Best practice
- Use images that show something the text describes
- Write alt text based on the image's purpose
- Add captions where context helps
- Credit and license images properly
- Compress images for fast loading
Common pitfalls
Watch out for:
- Generic stock photos with no meaning
- Alt text that repeats the caption
- Images of text
- Using images without the right license
When to call in a specialist
Bottom line Bring in help when setting image standards for editors, or when images slow down articles.
Where this comes from
- W3C Web Accessibility Initiative — Images tutorial
- Google Search Central — Google image SEO best practices
The figures and practices above come from the sources listed.
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