Alternative text belongs to the image's purpose on the page, not to a keyword list in the media library. This workflow helps editors update WordPress images thoughtfully and inspect the result. Interface labels can vary by version, theme and editor, so consult the platform's current documentation when needed.
Determine the image's role
Ask what information a reader would lose without the image. For an informative photograph, describe the relevant content briefly. For a functional linked image, communicate the action. Pure decoration generally needs an empty alternative. A complex chart may require an adjacent explanation beyond a short attribute value.
Edit the image in context
Open the relevant page and select its image block or supported image settings. Review the alternative-text field and surrounding caption or explanation. Do not assume that changing a media-library field updates every existing insertion. Reused images can serve different purposes on different pages and may need different treatment.
Verify the published markup
Save the authorised change, open the public page and inspect the image's resulting alt attribute and context. Confirm that the correct image instance changed and that the page remains usable on mobile. When a component ignores the editor's value, investigate the theme or rendering process rather than repeatedly rewriting the same field.
Put the method to work
Illustrative edit: a workshop photograph accompanies a maintenance guide. The editor describes the relevant inspection action instead of writing the filename or several service keywords. A decorative background remains outside the informational description. This is an editing example, not an accessibility certification.
Your next steps
- Identify the image's purpose on its actual page
- Review captions and nearby explanations together
- Update the appropriate image instance
- Check the final public markup after saving
Questions & answers
Is a caption the same as alt text?
No. A visible caption and an alternative serve different functions. Decide what each needs to communicate without unnecessary repetition.
Can Gavek edit WordPress images automatically?
The public Gavek tools do not connect to WordPress or modify images. Any implementation assistance needs an agreed scope and secure access.
Documentation & further reading
- wordpress.org · › documentation › article › image-block ›
- www.w3.org · › WAI › tutorials › images › decision-tree ›
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