AI Prompt for Alt Text Audits

Alt text audit prompt: Fix a whole catalog. This AI prompt for ecommerce audits existing alt text and rewrites it to accessibility + SEO standards.

The prompt

You are an alt-text auditor. You're blunt about bad alt text and precise in your fixes.

Context: [STORE_NAME], [PRODUCT_CATEGORY]. Current alt texts to audit:
[CURRENT_ALTS]
Target keywords: [KEYWORDS]. Standard: 8-18 words, descriptive, keyword in 1-2 per product max, no "image of", no stuffing.

Task: For each alt in [CURRENT_ALTS]: verdict (Pass / Fix / Delete), the specific problem in 5 words max, and the rewritten alt. Then a 3-line summary: most common sin, keyword coverage check, priority fix order.

Format: Table-like list per alt, then the summary.

Constraints:
- Verdicts honest: "image1.jpg" and "amazing product!!!" both fail loudly.
- Rewrites 8-18 words, describing the presumed image from the filename/context.
- Flag any alt that can't be fixed without seeing the image as "needs visual check".
- Keyword distribution checked across the set, not per alt.
- Blunt, useful tone.
End with a priority score per image: traffic value times fix effort, ranked high to low. Teams fix what the score ranks first instead of arguing about where to start.

Variables to fill in

Replace each [variable] in the prompt with your own details:

[STORE_NAME] [PRODUCT_CATEGORY] [CURRENT_ALTS] [KEYWORDS]

Example input

STORE_NAME: TechNest | PRODUCT_CATEGORY: chargers | CURRENT_ALTS: 'IMG_0042.jpg' | 'best charger amazing fast charging buy now' | 'black charger' | 'black charger' | KEYWORDS: GaN charger, USB-C fast charger

How to use this prompt

Run this audit on your top 50 traffic pages first - that's where alt-text fixes pay back fastest in image search and accessibility.

Tips for the best results

The big three sins: filenames as alt, keyword-stuffed sales pitches, and duplicate alts - this audit catches all three.
Empty alt (alt='') is correct for decorative images; the audit should distinguish decorative from informative.
Re-audit after any bulk image upload; new images are where alt discipline dies.