Guide · updated September 2026

Shopify image alt text: how to write it (with examples)

Alt text is a short written description of an image. Screen readers read it aloud for people who can't see the image, search engines use it to understand images, and it's one of the ways machines — including AI shopping assistants — can tell what a product photo shows.

How to add it in Shopify

Products → open a product → click an image → Add alt text (or "Edit alt text") → save.

Good vs bad examples

• ❌ IMG_4021.jpg · ✅ Black leather hiking boot, side view
• ❌ product photo · ✅ Olive 15-inch laptop backpack worn on one shoulder
• ❌ best cheap boots sale boots (keyword stuffing) · ✅ Waterproof hiking boots with rubber lug sole

Rules of thumb

1. Describe what's actually in the photo, in plain words — product, color, angle or use.
2. Keep it short: about 5–15 words (under ~125 characters).
3. Don't start with "Image of" — screen readers already say it's an image.
4. Don't stuff keywords, and don't describe what isn't visible.
5. Each image of a product can be different: "front view", "sole close-up", "worn on foot".

Hundreds of images?

Listproof finds images with missing or meaningless alt text (like file names) and suggests alt text from your product title — never replacing alt text you already wrote. Preview first, undo anytime.

More guides: Shopify product descriptions for ChatGPT and AI shopping (data from 8,000+ products) · Shopify product titles for ChatGPT and AI shopping (data from 8,000+ products) · Shopify products not showing in ChatGPT? The Shopify Catalog checklist · How ChatGPT and AI shopping assistants read your Shopify products · Shopify category attributes (color, size, material): what they are and how to fill them · Shopify image alt text: how to write it (with examples)