How does alt text contribute to SEO?

Alt text, or alternative text, plays a crucial role in search engine optimization (SEO) by providing context for search engines about the content of an image. When search engines crawl a web page, they cannot "see" images in the same way humans do. Instead, they rely on alt text to understand the subject matter and relevance of the images on the page. By including descriptive and keyword-rich alt text, web designers and content creators can help search engines index images more appropriately, making it more likely that those images will appear in relevant searches.

Furthermore, alt text is an essential accessibility feature, as it allows screen readers to convey the content of images to visually impaired users. This practice not only enhances user experience but also signals to search engines that the website is considerate of accessibility, which can positively influence search rankings.

While other options touch on image handling and user tracking, they do not accurately capture the primary function of alt text in relation to SEO. Alt text does not replace images with text, enhance loading speed, or serve as a tracking mechanism; its primary role is to provide crucial context and improve site accessibility, making it an important component for search engine optimization.