Decorative images
A flourish or background that adds no information may use alt="". Keep the attribute present. Check that it is not the only label for a link or button.
Alt Text Examples Library for Shopify Stores
Use practical before-and-after examples for writing clearer product image alt text across apparel, beauty, home goods, food, accessories, electronics, and gift catalogs.
Written for practical store work. This library can support accessibility and image search cleanup, but it is not a substitute for expert accessibility or legal review.
What is inside
A repeatable way to improve product image descriptions
Use the library when adding alt text to new product images, cleaning up weak catalog content, creating team standards, or reviewing Shopify product pages before launch.
96 weak and stronger examples across eight category guides
A simple formula your team can reuse
Common mistakes to avoid when cleaning up product images
A product gallery pattern for main images, details, lifestyle shots, and alternate angles
A team review checklist for Shopify catalog updates
Simple formula
Product type plus useful visual attributes
Start with the product type, add the details shoppers can see, and include context or use only when it helps.
[Product type] + [key visual attributes] + [context or use if helpful]
Black leather ankle boot with pointed toe and stacked heel
Blue ceramic dinner plate with speckled glaze on white background
Women's ribbed cotton tank top in sage green, front view
Describe the product and the meaningful visual details
Use plain language a shopper would understand
Mention color, style, material, pattern, size, or use when visually relevant
Avoid keyword stuffing and unsupported marketing claims
Keep repeated gallery images specific, not identical
Before and after
Weak alt text becomes useful product context
Compare the weak version to the stronger version. The goal is not to stuff keywords into every image. The goal is to describe useful visual information in plain language.
Clothing
Weak
shirt
Better
Men's white linen button-down shirt with long sleeves
Names the garment, audience, color, fabric, and sleeve length visible in the main image.
Weak
blue dress
Better
Navy wrap midi dress with short sleeves and tie waist, front view
Adds the silhouette, length, sleeve shape, waist detail, and view.
Weak
dress back
Better
Back view of navy wrap midi dress with V-shaped neckline
Explains what the second gallery image reveals instead of repeating the front-view text.
Jewelry
Weak
ring
Better
Gold-tone ring with oval green stone in a four-prong setting
Describes visible color, stone shape, and setting without claiming a specific metal or gem.
Weak
ring angle
Better
Side view of gold-tone ring showing raised oval stone setting and slim band
Explains the profile and band shape shown by this gallery angle.
Weak
necklace
Better
Fine gold-tone chain necklace with small crescent pendant
Identifies the chain and pendant shape in concise language.
Shoes
Weak
sneaker
Better
White low-top leather sneaker with gum sole
Names the footwear type, color, visible material, profile, and sole.
Weak
shoe side
Better
Side view of navy running shoe with mesh upper and white foam sole
Explains the angle and visible construction.
Weak
top of shoe
Better
Top view of tan loafer showing penny strap and rounded toe
Highlights the details visible from above.
Beauty and skincare
Weak
serum
Better
Amber glass serum bottle with white dropper cap
Identifies the product packaging without inventing ingredients or benefits.
Weak
face cream
Better
White moisturizer jar with pale blue lid on beige background
Describes the container, colors, and presentation.
Weak
lipstick
Better
Deep berry lipstick bullet with matte finish in black tube
Adds the visible shade, finish, and package.
Furniture and home decor
Weak
sofa
Better
Three-seat olive green sofa with low arms and oak legs
Names the type, capacity, color, silhouette, and visible leg material.
Weak
chair
Better
Oak dining chair with curved back and beige upholstered seat
Adds visible material, shape, and upholstery.
Weak
table
Better
Round walnut-tone coffee table with lower shelf and three tapered legs
Describes the shape, finish, storage, and base.
Food and beverage
Weak
coffee
Better
Navy resealable bag of whole bean coffee with cream label
Describes the product and package without making flavor claims.
Weak
sauce
Better
Glass jar of red tomato sauce with black lid and white label
Identifies the contents, container, and visible colors.
Weak
drink
Better
Amber glass bottle of ginger soda with green label
Names the product and packaging shown.
Electronics
Weak
headphones
Better
Black over-ear headphones with padded headband and oval ear cups
Names the product, color, form, and visible padding.
Weak
speaker
Better
Compact blue cylindrical speaker with fabric grille and top controls
Adds shape, finish, and control placement.
Weak
keyboard
Better
White compact mechanical keyboard with gray and orange keycaps
Describes the layout size and visible color treatment.
Gifts and gift sets
Weak
gift set
Better
Open self-care gift box with candle, bath soak, and ceramic mug
Lists the visible contents rather than relying on a generic set label.
Weak
candle
Better
Amber glass candle with cream label and black metal lid
Describes the vessel and packaging without scent claims.
Weak
custom mug
Better
White ceramic mug printed with the name Maya in blue script
Captures the visible personalization and typography.
Common mistakes
Avoid the patterns that make alt text less helpful
Keyword stuffing
Weak
best organic cotton t-shirt sustainable eco friendly shirt buy online
Better
Organic cotton crewneck t-shirt in natural white
Repeating the product title everywhere
Weak
The Everyday Tote The Everyday Tote The Everyday Tote
Better
Black canvas tote bag with front pocket and shoulder straps
Making claims the image does not show
Weak
Most comfortable running shoe for marathon training
Better
Gray running shoe with mesh upper and white foam sole
Product gallery pattern
Make each gallery image distinct
A typical Shopify product gallery should not repeat the same alt text on every image. Let each image describe the angle, detail, lifestyle context, or scale it actually shows.
- 1Women's black wrap dress with long sleeves
- 2Side view of black wrap dress showing tie waist
- 3Back view of black wrap dress with V-shaped neckline
- 4Close-up of black wrap dress fabric and waist tie
- 5Model wearing black wrap dress with ankle boots
- 6Black wrap dress shown on model for knee-length fit
Difficult images
Let the image’s purpose guide the wording
The same image can need different treatment in a product gallery, a link, or a decorative banner. These are starting points for review, not automatic rules.
Product swatches
A swatch used to select a variant needs a name such as “Sage green,” plus an accessible selected state. Alt text alone does not make the selector accessible; review the theme control.
Detail and texture close-ups
Name what this view adds: “Close-up of raised ribbing on the cream vase.” Only name materials that product information confirms.
Packaging images
Describe the packaging when it matters: “Gift box open to show the mug and matching lid.” Put contents, ingredients, and instructions in readable page text too.
Images containing text
Include essential words that are not available nearby, such as a promotion’s terms. Prefer actual page text for longer messages so shoppers can read and resize it.
Lifestyle images with multiple products
Identify the featured item and useful context: “Oak dining table set with four black chairs.” Clarify in visible copy which items are sold separately.
Repeated variant imagery
Do not invent differences between identical photos. If adjacent images repeat the same information, assess whether one description is enough. Independently linked images still need clear link names.
Sizing and comparison images
Describe the comparison, then provide the measurements as text: “Small and large tote bags side by side.” Put the complete size chart in an accessible table.
Logos
Name the brand when the logo conveys identity. If it is the only content in a home link, identify the destination, such as “Example Store home.” Avoid repeating an adjacent equivalent label.
Infographic and specification images
Give a short overview and provide the full specifications or explanation nearby in text. A long list of dimensions, labels, and instructions should not live only in alt text.
For the underlying principles, read the practical Shopify alt text guide and W3C’s guidance on image purpose. To work through your own images, explore the Shopify alt text generator.
Team review checklist
Before publishing product image alt text
Use these questions when reviewing product pages before launch or cleaning up legacy catalog images.
Does it describe the useful visual information?
Is it specific enough to distinguish this image from similar images?
Does it avoid keyword stuffing?
Does it avoid unsupported product or legal claims?
Does each gallery image have distinct alt text when the image shows distinct information?
Are decorative images handled separately from product images?
Would this make sense to someone who cannot see the image?
Want to find missing alt text and refresh selected images faster?
Lumi finds product images missing alt text. You can also select existing alt text to refresh, then review every draft before publishing.