Missing Alt Text (empty alt="")

What This Means

One or more <img> elements have an alt attribute that is present but empty (alt=""). The attribute exists, so the HTML is technically valid, but no descriptive text has been provided.

Why It Matters for SEO

An empty alt attribute is the correct choice for purely decorative images that add no informational value — spacing images, decorative dividers, background textures. Screen readers skip images with alt="" entirely, which is correct behavior for decorative content.

However, empty alt on content images — product photos, charts, infographics, screenshots — is incorrect. Content images should have descriptive alt text. The challenge is distinguishing which flagged images are intentionally decorative vs. content images that need real alt text.

What the Platform Checks

Identifies <img> elements with alt="" (attribute present but empty string). This is a notice rather than a warning because empty alt is sometimes correct.

How to Fix It

• Review each flagged image: is it purely decorative or does it convey information?
• Decorative: Keep alt="" — no further action needed.
• Informative/Content: Add descriptive alt text that conveys what the image shows and why it is relevant.
• For charts and graphs: describe the key insight or trend the image communicates.
• For product images: describe what the product looks like (color, style, context).