SHOPIFY PRODUCT IMAGE ACCESSIBILITY
How to write alt text for Shopify product images
Good product image alt text describes what a shopper needs to know about the actual picture. It helps people using screen readers and gives search engines useful context without repeating a list of keywords.
By Rezivelo Product Studio · Published
1. Compare unhelpful and descriptive examples
Use the content and purpose of the image to decide how much detail to provide. The examples below are illustrative descriptions, not automatically generated alt text from our app.
Illustrative apparel examples
- Front-facing blue jacket photo
- Too vague: Jacket photo
Better: Blue hooded quilted jacket with black front zipper, front view - Close-up of the jacket fastening
- Too repetitive: Best blue jacket online cheap blue jacket
Better: Close-up of black zipper and horizontal stitching on blue jacket - Black leather tote photographed from the side
- Too generic: Black bag
Better: Side view of black leather tote showing long shoulder straps
If a picture shows the inside lining, a care label or a texture close-up, describe that feature rather than copying the main product image's text. Do not claim materials, measurements or functionality that the image and verified product facts do not establish.
2. Where to add product image alt text in Shopify
- Open Shopify Admin → Products and choose a product.
- Select a product image to open its media preview.
- Find Add alt text or the alt-text editing field in the media information.
- Write a concise, accurate description of this particular image and save.
- Repeat for the other meaningful views, then check the product page.
Shopify recommends keeping descriptions brief, with around 125 characters or fewer as a useful target, even though longer text may be accepted. Accessibility comes first: write the description a shopper needs rather than a rigid character-count formula.
3. Review the complete gallery, not only the first photo
A supplier catalog may contain a front view, back view, side view, close-ups and several color variants. Start with your main selling image, then work through the important views:
- Main image: product type, color and one or two visible defining features.
- Alternate angle: say which side or view is shown and what becomes visible.
- Detail image: name the visible fastening, pattern, fabric texture or compartment.
- Different variant: confirm the alt text matches that variant's actual color and appearance.
- Decorative element: don't force a promotional description onto imagery that carries no extra information.
Keep wording natural. The same product name can appear where helpful, but identical alt text on every image hides useful distinctions for screen-reader users.
4. Mistakes that reduce usefulness
- Do not write keyword chains such as “jacket coat outdoor jacket waterproof jacket” to chase rankings.
- Do not call a fabric waterproof, organic or genuine leather unless you have verified that fact.
- Do not rely on file names or descriptions as substitutes for accurately representing the image.
- Do not confuse image alt text with your page's SEO title, meta description or Shopify catalog tags. They serve different purposes.
Google's image guidance emphasizes useful, context-aware text rather than keyword stuffing. Image SEO is only one part of a search-visible product page; it does not guarantee a particular ranking.
5. Improve the product image and description together
Begin with accurate source photos. If you prepare a new image, compare the result with the original before publishing. Check color, seams, logos and the product's shape: the description must refer to the item actually shown.
Rezivelo Product Studio prepares Shopify product images and a separate description, SEO and tags package, then lets the merchant review changes before publishing. It does not currently offer a dedicated alt-text generator or bulk alt-text editor. Add or review image alt text using Shopify's own tools after approving your product images.
How to prepare consistent Shopify product photo backgrounds →
See the product image and content workflow
View an actual before-and-after jacket example, including reviewed description and SEO fields. Each image uses 1 credit and the description, SEO and tags package uses 1 credit per product. Public installation is pending Shopify App Store approval.