Who it’s for
Etsy sellers who:
- Leave alt text blank (or accept Etsy’s auto-generated text)
- Paste the title/tags into every image
- Want clearer, more accessible listings without learning “SEO theory”
What alt text is (and isn’t)
Is: A short description of what the photo shows — for people who can’t see it, and for tools that read image text.
Isn’t:
- A second title
- A place to dump all 13 tags
- A guarantee of higher Etsy search rank
Etsy lets you add a text alternative (alt text) per listing image. If you leave it blank, Etsy may add AI-generated alt text for you (editable anytime). Prefer your own when you can — you know the product.
Etsy Help — search “How to Add a Text Alternative to Your Listing Images”.
6 rules that keep you out of trouble
- Describe the photo, not the shop pitch.
- Lead with the product (what it is), then materials / colour / angle.
- One main idea per image — main shot ≠ detail shot ≠ lifestyle shot.
- Skip stuffing shop name, SKU, full title, or tag lists into alt text.
- Stay natural — a sentence a human would say aloud.
- Stay honest — don’t claim benefits the photo doesn’t show.
Character & format tips
- Aim for about 1–2 short sentences (Etsy’s field is longer; don’t fill it with fluff).
- Use plain language your buyer uses (“sterling silver hoop earrings”), not jargon.
- Mention what’s distinctive in this frame (texture, scale, worn vs flat-lay).
- Same product, different photos → different alt text.
Fill-in template
[Product] in [material/colour], [view or setting]. [One distinctive detail].
Examples of the slots:
- Product: ceramic mug / leather journal / macramé wall hanging
- Material/colour: speckled stoneware / cognac leather / ivory cotton cord
- View/setting: close-up of handle / open on a desk / hung above a sofa
- Detail: hand-thrown ridges / debossed initials / fringe about 20 cm
Good vs weak examples
| Weak | Better |
|---|---|
| Best selling mug gift for her coffee lover SEO | Speckled stoneware mug with a wide handle, shown empty on a wooden table |
| Handmade jewelry | Gold-filled hammered hoop earrings, side view against a white background |
| Wedding decor boho | Ivory macramé wall hanging with long fringe, photographed flat on linen |
| (blank / generic AI) | Navy linen tote bag filled with groceries, worn on one shoulder outdoors |
Quick checklist before you save
- Would a screen-reader user understand this photo?
- Did I avoid pasting the full title/tags?
- Is this alt different from the other images on the same listing?
- Any claim the photo doesn’t support? Remove it.