Alternative text that carries no information in WooCommerce

WCAG 1.1.1 (A) · EN 301 549 9.1.1.1

Some images have alt text that is a file name, a code, or a generic word like "image" or "photo".

Where to change it in WooCommerce

A bulk media editing plugin can populate alt text from the product title, which is almost always better than the file name.

In WooCommerce the theme and the plugins both contribute markup. Create a child theme before editing: otherwise the next update overwrites your changes.

<img src="/p1.jpg" alt="image">
<img src="/p2.jpg" alt="DSC_0042.jpg">

<img src="/p1.jpg" alt="Grey running shoe with orange sole">
<img src="/p2.jpg" alt="Black canvas 20-litre backpack, side view">

Why it matters

An alt that reads "DSC_0042.jpg" or "product" satisfies the form but not the function: the person still has no idea what is in the picture. It usually happens when a catalogue was bulk-imported and the field was filled automatically.

On other platforms

• Alternative text that carries no information in Shopify