A young woman in a mustard yellow sweater and purple skirt gestures with her right hand in front of stylized computer interface panels. The text "Alternative Text" is displayed in bold, dark letters below her.

Linked Images

When an image functions as a link or button, its alt text should clearly describe the destination or purpose of the link.

Best Practices for the Linked Images :  

Writing Alt Text for Linked Images 

If an image is the only element within a link, it must have alt text to ensure screen reader users understand its function. 

  • Avoid phrases like "Link to" or "Click to" – Screen readers already announce links as "link" or "clickable," making these phrases unnecessary. 

  • Describe the link’s purpose: The alt text should clearly describe the function of the linked image. If the image does not serve a specific purpose, it should be marked as a decorative image to avoid unnecessary distractions for screen reader users. 

  • Use alt text only when necessary: If there is already visible text in the same link describing its purpose, the image can be treated as decorative. 

  • Include any important text or visuals from the image: If the linked image contains critical information that isn’t repeated elsewhere on the page, ensure it is included in the alt text.

Example:
Panopto logo, click to visit Panopto's website.

Alt Text: "Panopto logo, click to visit Panopto's website".

See below for additional information on:

Additional Tips 

For more information, check out the WCAG 2.2 (Text Alternatives) for detailed guidance on ensuring your web and document content is fully accessible. 

How to use Alternative Text: