> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://help.appplaza.app/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://help.appplaza.app/speed-optimizer/image-compression/alt-text-optimizer.md).

# Alt text optimizer

{% hint style="info" %}
**Who can use this feature?**

* This feature is available for all users
  {% endhint %}

### What is alt text optimizer?

Every image on your store should have **alt text**: a short description of what’s in the picture. Alt text helps:

* **SEO** — Google reads alt text to understand your images, which can rank you higher in image search.
* **Accessibility** — screen readers use alt text to describe images to visually impaired customers.

Writing alt text by hand for every product image takes forever. Alt text optimizer uses a template to generate alt text for all your images at once.

You can roll back any time if you don’t like the results..

### Why use Alt text optimizer?

* **Improves image SEO** — descriptive alt text helps Google rank your images in search.
* **Makes your store accessible** — screen readers can describe every image to visually impaired shoppers.
* **Saves hours of manual work** — generate alt text for your entire catalog in one pass.
* **Stays relevant per product** — Advanced variables (Pro/Expert) produce "Nike Air Max running shoe" instead of just "running shoe".
* **Risk-free** — revert to any previous version any time if you don't like the results.

### ⚙️ How to use Alt text optimizer

#### Step 1: Open the Alt text tab

Go to **Image optimizer → Alt text**.

<figure><img src="/files/Ohf9WxxQ3g3LLppvlTmj" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

#### Step 2: Check your Report

Check the **Report** at the top to see how many images have optimized, unoptimized, or missing alt text.

#### Step 3: Build your template

Choose the **Custom template** mode and build your template using available variables:

* **File title** — the original image filename.
* **Shop name** — your store's name.
* **Shop domain** — your store's domain.
* **Shop country** — your store's country.
* **Shop province** — your store's state or province.

**On Pro and Expert plans**, you also get **Advanced** variables tied to each product:

* **Product title** — the product's name.
* **Product type** — the product's category.
* **Product vendor** — the product's brand or supplier.
* **Product tags** — the product's tags.
* **Variant SKU** — the variant's SKU code.
* **Variant price** — the variant's price.
* **Variant name** — the variant's name (e.g. "Red / Large").

This makes the alt text much more relevant — "Nike Air Max running shoe" instead of just "running shoe".

&#x20;

#### Step 4: Preview the output

Preview the output below the template builder to make sure it reads naturally.

<figure><img src="/files/V3Heh4aVHPjoM6lV44OZ" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

#### Step 5: Apply to all images

Click **Optimize now** to apply the template to all your images. Want to edit specific images by hand? Open the **ALT text manager**.

<figure><img src="/files/9ix4heCXo45unyaX2HtP" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

#### Revert to previous alt text

Didn't get the result you wanted? You can restore your previous alt text any time.

1. Click **Revert** next to **Optimize**.

   <figure><img src="/files/lrDiOh4WODCG1g8NU6dP" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>
2. Pick which version to restore — original, or a recent change from the list.
3. Confirm the revert. The job runs in the background. When it's done, your alt text is back to the chosen version.

***

### 📌 Merchant Notes

* **AI automation** mode (auto-generate alt text using AI) is coming soon. For now, custom template is the way to go.
* Click **History** at the top right to see a full log of every alt text change.
* You can **revert any time** to your original alt text or a recent version — reverts run in the background.
* The **Advanced template** with product fields (vendor, type, tags, etc.) requires **Pro** or **Expert**.
* To shrink your image file sizes as well, see **Image compression**.

***

Contact us in live chat if you have any problems.


---

# Agent Instructions
This documentation is published with GitBook. GitBook is the documentation platform designed so that both humans and AI agents can read, navigate, and reason over technical content effectively. Learn more at gitbook.com.

## Querying This Documentation
If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question.

Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter:

```
GET https://help.appplaza.app/speed-optimizer/image-compression/alt-text-optimizer.md?ask=<question>
```

The question should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language.
The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation.

Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.