Silktide Alt Text

Overview 

Alternative text (or alt text), is an embedded description of what is in the images.

• Alt text is important because it helps people who cannot see them understand what the visuals are showing or adding to the content. Alt text is usually read by screen readers, not by sighted readers.

Here’s why it matters:

• For people using screen readers: Screen readers do not describe images – they read out the alt text. The alt text gives it the words to say about what the image shows.
• Alt text explains visually presented information: If an image helps explain something, like a chart with data or a process diagram, the alt text should describe it. This way, people who cannot see the image still understand what it’s showing.

Silktide extension alt text tool

To check for alt text within an article using the Silktide extension, follow the steps listed below: 

• Note: if you do not have the Silktide extension downloaded, click here for instructions on downloading.

1. Open the desired page to test, then select Silktide's side tab to test. Note: If you need further instruction on this step, click here to learn how to open the extension tool. 
2. Open the Alt text tool in the menu. 
   
3. This will activate the tool. Silktide will now show where there are images placed on that page, and what their alt text status is. View the example below: 
   
4. In the example, it has flagged the image of the Google logo as "Missing" This means that Alt text should be added to this image. 
5. If you are unfamiliar with adding alt text to images in one stop, follow this link to view a quick tutorial.