Alt Text Analysis Tools: Your Secret Weapon for Better Image SEO

Tool Best For Key Features
Screaming Frog SEO audits Finds missing/duplicate alt text
Axe Accessibility checks WCAG testing, browser extension
SEMrush SEO teams Flags image SEO issues in audits
Lighthouse Quick dev checks Built into Chrome, instant feedback
Ahrefs SEO + content audits Alt text reports with other insights

So, What Exactly Is Alt Text and Why Should You Care?

Alt text is a quick image description added to your site’s HTML. It was originally meant for screen readers to help visually impaired users understand images. But it also helps search engines make sense of your images, which can improve your SEO.

Good alt text should be:

  • Simple, descriptive, and relevant
  • Short and to the point
  • Naturally include keywords (only if appropriate)

Ignoring alt text means you’re missing out on SEO points and making your site less inclusive. Not ideal.

Why Alt Text Analysis Tools Are a Must-Have

If you’ve got a small website, maybe you can check alt text manually. But once your site grows? Forget it. You’d spend days trying to track down every missing or duplicate tag. That’s where alt text analysis tools save the day.

These tools scan your website, identify problems with your alt text, and make suggestions so you can fix them. They help spot missing alt tags, duplicate descriptions, irrelevant content, or tags that are just too long or stuffed with keywords. Basically, they make sure your alt text works for everyone—people and search engines alike.

What Features Should a Good Alt Text Analysis Tool Have?

  • Site-wide scanning: A solid tool should scan your entire site, even pages that use JavaScript or load content dynamically.
  • Missing and incomplete alt detection: It should flag images with missing or incomplete alt text, especially placeholders like “image1.jpg.”
  • AI-powered content review: Advanced tools can analyze the quality of your alt text and suggest improvements.
  • Accessibility compliance checks: Look for tools that validate your content against WCAG or ADA guidelines.
  • CMS integration: Tools that work well with WordPress, Shopify, or Magento save you time.
  • Exportable reports: Clear reports help you track your updates and fixes over time.

Alt Text Analysis Tools You Should Definitely Check Out

  • Screaming Frog SEO Spider: This tool crawls your entire website and highlights every image missing alt text. It also shows duplicate tags or those that are too long. If you have a large site, this is a great choice for keeping everything organized.
  • Axe Accessibility Tool: Designed for accessibility audits, Axe checks images against WCAG guidelines and runs directly from your browser. It’s a favorite among developers.
  • SEMrush Site Audit: If you’re using SEMrush for SEO, you can run a full site audit that includes image alt tag analysis. It connects with Google Search Console and offers actionable insights.
  • Google Lighthouse: Built into Chrome DevTools, Lighthouse gives you instant alt text feedback during page performance audits. It’s ideal for quick checks.
  • Ahrefs Site Audit: While Ahrefs is known for backlinks and keyword research, its audit tool also flags alt text issues. Great if you’re already using the platform for SEO.

How to Actually Use These Tools to Improve Your Site

Step 1: Run a full crawl of your site
Use your preferred tool to scan every page and collect an inventory of all the images and their associated alt text.

Step 2: Prioritize your top pages
Start with high-traffic pages, blog posts, or landing pages where optimized alt text can make the biggest impact.

Step 3: Review flagged alt text issues
Look for missing tags, duplicates, keyword stuffing, or vague descriptions.

Step 4: Rewrite or add better alt text
Make each alt text clear, relevant, and unique to the image. Include keywords only when it makes sense.

Step 5: Document your changes
Export reports and keep track of your updates. Consider adding alt text reviews to your monthly or quarterly site checkups.

What Problems Do These Tools Help You Fix?

  • Missing alt tags: You’ll easily spot every image that has no alt text at all.
  • Generic or vague descriptions: These tools flag tags like “image1” or “picture,” which don’t help anyone.
  • Keyword stuffing: If you’ve gone overboard with keywords, these tools will point it out so you can clean it up.
  • Duplicate alt text: Repeating the same tag across multiple images gets flagged so you can create more variety.
  • Irrelevant tags: You’ll see which tags don’t actually match the image, letting you fix them to improve user experience and SEO.

Tips for Writing Better Alt Text

  • Keep it short and specific: Aim for under 125 characters.
  • Don’t start with “Image of…” Screen readers already say it’s an image.
  • Describe functionality when needed: If it’s a button or icon, explain what it does.
  • Use empty alt text for decorative images: A blank alt attribute (alt=””) tells screen readers to skip it.
  • Avoid random file names or codes: These don’t help anyone and make your site look sloppy.

Wrapping It Up

Alt text might seem like a small thing, but it plays a big role in both SEO and accessibility. The right tools make it easier to stay on top of your image descriptions and fix issues before they cause problems.

Whether you’re running a personal blog or managing an enterprise-level site, using tools like Screaming Frog, SEMrush, Axe, or Ahrefs gives you a clear edge. They’ll save you time, keep your site compliant, and make sure your content is reaching every possible user—including those using screen readers.

If you haven’t already, now’s the time to take your alt text seriously. With the right tools and a bit of upkeep, you’ll be ahead of the curve in no time.

Key takeaway: Alt text analysis tools help you find missing, weak, or poorly written alt tags so you can fix them, boost your SEO, improve accessibility, and make your website more user-friendly for everyone.

FAQs

What’s the easiest way to check alt text on WordPress?

You’ve got options—tools like Yoast SEO and Screaming Frog can scan your site for missing alt text. Some page builders even give you a heads-up while you’re editing if something’s missing.

Can I use the same alt text for multiple images on a page?

It’s better not to. Even if images look similar, try to tailor the alt text to describe each one uniquely. It helps with both SEO and accessibility.

Is it okay to use emojis or special characters in alt text?

Nope—keep it clean and professional. Emojis and special characters can confuse screen readers and don’t add value to the description.

How do I handle background images or icons?

If they’re purely decorative, use alt=”” or mark them in CSS as decorative. No need to describe what doesn’t add meaning.

Is there any downside to skipping alt text?

You won’t get a manual penalty from Google, but you will miss out on ranking opportunities and risk violating accessibility standards, which can lead to legal issues in some countries.