Myth: stuff product image alt text with keywords to rank

Myth: stuff product image alt text with keywords to rank

'Q: Should I cram keywords into every product image's alt text for SEO?'

Short answer: No — alt text is for accessibility and Google Images, and keyword-stuffing it can look like spam.

The longer version: alt text exists primarily so screen-reader users understand the image, and secondarily so Google can index it for image search. Stuffing "buy cheap running shoes best running shoes discount running shoes" helps neither — it's a poor experience for assistive tech and reads as keyword spam to Google's systems. Good alt text simply describes the image accurately: "Acme Pro running shoe, side view, blue."

The quiet upside of doing it right: accurate, descriptive alt text genuinely earns Google Images traffic, which for visual products (fashion, furniture, decor) can be a real channel. Just describe what's there.

Rule of thumb: write alt text for a blind shopper, not a keyword tool. Accurate beats stuffed.

Follow-up: yes, include the product name and a key attribute, but naturally and once.

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