Most Decorative Images Have a Real Meaning

Designers often call some pictures “decorative images.” They may give these images empty alt text, written as alt="". A screen reader then skips the image. Adrian Roselli argues that most images are added for a reason. If the reason matters to people who can see the page, it may also matter to people who cannot see it.

An image may create a mood or connect a page to a theme. In that case, the image carries meaning. The alt text should explain the useful part in simple words. If the picture only fills empty space, it may show a layout problem. The better choice may be to improve the layout and remove the picture.

Roselli suggests two simple tests. First, remove the image and ask if any reader would care. If someone would care, the image is not only decoration. Second, imagine replacing it with a very wrong or silly picture. If the author would care about that change, the original picture also had a purpose. These tests make teams explain their decisions.

This idea does not cover every kind of image. Icons and pictures inside buttons or links need other accessibility rules. An empty alt value can also be correct when an image repeats information that nearby text already gives. The main point is that teams should not use alt="" only because a picture looks decorative.

The decision should begin before writing alt text. Ask why the image is there. If it communicates mood, subject, or context, give users a useful text alternative. If it has no value, remove it. This creates a more equal experience and can also make the page cleaner. Accessibility becomes part of content and design review, not a small technical step at the end.