Give every artwork image on your site the text it needs. Describe the work in a line or two and get accessible alt text under 125 characters, an SEO alt text for image search and gallery listings, and a long description for screen-reader users. Better for blind and low-vision visitors, and better for Google Images. Built for galleries and artists by Nakada Design.
The visual content: what a sighted viewer sees first.
Accessible alt textFor the image's alt attribute (describes the work)
SEO alt textIdentifies the work (best for gallery inventory & image search)
Long descriptionFor a caption or a screen-reader long description
Write for a person first (accurate, natural description) and the image-SEO benefit follows. Never begin with “image of” or “photo of”; a screen reader already announces that it is an image.
Why Alt Text Matters Twice for Galleries
Alt text is the short description a screen reader speaks aloud when a blind or low-vision visitor reaches an image, and the text a browser shows if the image fails to load. That alone makes it an accessibility requirement. But for a gallery it earns its keep a second time: alt text is one of the strongest signals Google uses to understand an image, so well-written descriptions help your artworks surface in Google Images and image-rich search results, where serious collectors and curators actually look.
The mistake is treating it as a keyword slot. Describe the work honestly and specifically, include the artist, title and medium, and you satisfy the screen reader and the search engine at the same time.
The Rules of Good Artwork Alt Text
Lead with what is depicted. A viewer sees the subject before they read the label. Your alt text should work the same way. Keep it under about 125 characters, the point where many screen readers cut off. Name the medium, and for a gallery, the artist and title. Skip “image of.” And save the essay for a caption. When a work truly needs a paragraph, use the long description on the page and keep the alt attribute tight. The generator gives you all three at once, with a live character count so you never overshoot.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is alt text and why do artwork images need it?
A short written description of an image, read by screen readers and shown if an image fails to load. It makes your gallery site accessible and helps search engines understand and rank your artwork images.
How long should alt text be?
About 125 characters or fewer. Many screen readers cut off there. Keep a fuller description in a caption instead.
How do you write alt text for a painting?
Describe what is depicted, then the medium and, for a gallery, artist and title. Don't start with “image of.” Pattern: subject, medium, palette.
Is alt text good for SEO?
Yes. It is a primary signal for image search. Write it naturally for a human and the SEO benefit follows; don't keyword-stuff.
Is it free?
Yes. Free, no signup, and it runs entirely in your browser.
Have clients discover you before your competitors do
This tool is built by Nakada Design, a Los Angeles marketing agency that specializes in galleries and artists. The same care that went into it goes into your visibility: the search presence and advertising that brings collectors to your gallery first. Tell us about your gallery below.
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