Alt text (alternative text) is a short, descriptive text that appears in place of an image when the image fails to load. More importantly, it's read by screen readers for visually impaired users, making your website more accessible. It also helps search engines understand the content of the image.
An image caption is a brief explanation or description that appears directly below or near an image. Captions provide context to the image for all users, helping them understand what the image is showing or its relevance to the surrounding text.
| Feature | Alt Text | Image Caption |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Function | Provides a text alternative for images that can't be seen/loaded; aids accessibility. | Provides context, explanation, or additional information about the image for all viewers. |
| Visibility | Not visible unless the image fails to load or a screen reader is used. | Always visible to the user on the webpage, usually below the image. |
| Accessibility | Essential for users with visual impairments. | Helpful for all users but not specifically designed for accessibility (though it contributes to overall understandability). |
| SEO Impact | Significant; helps search engines understand the image content. | Indirect; contributes to overall page SEO by improving user engagement and understanding. |
| HTML Implementation | Implemented using the `alt` attribute within the `<img>` tag. | Implemented using elements like `<figcaption>` often within a `<figure>` tag. |
| Length | Should be concise and descriptive (ideally under 125 characters). | Can be longer and more descriptive, providing more detailed context. |
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