Alt text in Webnode from May 2026: a small feature, a big impact on SEO and accessibility.
On May 27, 2026, Webnode announced alt texts for all major image types, including galleries, products, blog thumbnails, and images in sections – with the option to have the description generated by AI. It is a welcome update, but good alt text is not a list of keywords. Its main purpose is to convey the meaning of the image where a person cannot see it.
What exactly Webnode has changed
On 27 May 2026, Webnode announced on the Slovak product news page a dedicated field for alt text for all main image types. This applies to standard image blocks, galleries, product images, blog post thumbnails, and images in pre‑designed sections. The description can be written manually or generated with AI in the website language.
This update builds on the April improvement to AI image search. For the website owner, the result is practical: visual content no longer has to behave like a “black box” without textual context. However, it also creates responsibility – the automatically generated description needs to be checked according to the role the image plays on a specific page.
Alt text is not a place for five keywords in a row
The simplest rule is: describe the relevant meaning of the image in the context of the page. If the photo shows a completed kitchen project, the alt text can name the type of project and an essential detail. If it is a portrait of a team member, it is enough to identify the person and the relevant role, if this information is necessary for understanding the content.
Unnatural strings such as "web design Bratislava website creation cheap website SEO" do not help the reader and do not appear trustworthy even as SEO. A keyword can be part of the description if it truly describes the image. It should not be the only reason for its existence.
Not every image needs a descriptive alt
If an image is purely decorative and does not add any information, from an accessibility point of view it is often correct to use an empty alternative text, depending on implementation options, so that assistive technology does not announce it unnecessarily. In contrast, an informational image needs a meaningful text alternative.
It is important not to place essential information only in graphics. For example, if a price list is provided as an image, a person using a screen reader needs the same data to be available in text or in a table. Alt text is not meant to replace the entire page or transcribe dozens of lines from an image.
Accessibility in 2026 is not just a legal topic
The European Accessibility Act began to apply on 28 June 2025 to selected products and services, which also include certain e-commerce services. At the same time, there are exemptions, for example for micro-enterprises providing services. Therefore, it is not correct to claim that every private presentation website automatically has exactly the same legal regime.
From a web design perspective, however, accessibility is broader than the legal minimum. Clear contrast, readable typography, keyboard navigation, clear forms and text alternatives help real people in different situations. Some users have a permanent limitation, others a temporary one – for example a broken arm – and others are simply using a mobile phone in sunlight or a slower connection.
AI alt text is an assistant, not an automatic fact-checker
AI can very accurately recognize that there is an office, a product, or a person in a photograph. However, it may not understand the business context. It can highlight an insignificant detail and omit what is important for the page. For product and reference photos, it is therefore recommended to read through every suggestion.
At the same time, unnecessary assumptions about people in the photograph should be avoided. Alt text should not speculate about age, health condition, emotions, ethnicity, or other sensitive characteristics unless this is explicitly relevant and verified information. It should describe only what is necessary to understand the content.
Image SEO does not begin or end with alt text
Alt text is an important signal for context and accessibility, but image performance is also affected by file size, dimensions, format, and the way it is loaded. A huge photo uploaded directly from a camera can slow down a mobile website. That is why it is better to use reasonable dimensions and a modern compressed format when publishing, if the workflow supports it.
A good file name also helps the team stay organized, even though it is not a magical ranking lever. Instead of IMG_8472.jpg, a more practical name would be something like web-design-corporate-website-bratislava.webp – assuming the photo is actually related to that content. The most important thing is that the image is relevant and the page as a whole is useful.
How to perform an image audit of a company website
It is not necessary to start with hundreds of images at once. First go through the homepage, main service pages, contact pages, and the most visited blog posts. For each image, write down its function: proof, explanation, product, person, or decoration. Then check the alt text, file size, and mobile display.
Give priority to visuals that appear above the fold, product photos, testimonials, and images that are important for decision-making. Only then deal with the old blog archive. This way, the greatest UX benefit is achieved in the shortest time.
- Is the image informational or decorative?
- Does the informational image have a concise and contextual alt text?
- Is any important information available only in the visual?
- Is the file properly compressed and sharp on mobile?
- Is the image authentic and relevant, or is it just filling space?
- Does the visual contain text that is unreadable on mobile?
A small technical innovation can improve the quality of all content
The benefit of the new alt fields is not just that “we can improve SEO.” They force a reflection on why the image is on the page in the first place. That is a good question for both web design and copywriting. A visual without a clear role often only increases the length and weight of the page.
When the website is created here, alt text, file name, and the meaning of the image are addressed together with the content. The result is a website that is not only visually appealing, but also clearer, more usable, and better prepared for high‑quality organic search.
Questions and Answers | FAQ
1. Should every image in Webnode have alt text?
Informative images must have a meaningful text alternative. For purely decorative images, an empty alt attribute may be the correct solution, depending on the options of the editor and the specific implementation.
2. Should I include the page's main keyword in the alt text?
Only describe the image naturally. Write alt text primarily according to the meaning of the visual, not as a list of SEO phrases.
3. Is it safe to publish AI-generated alt text without review?
It is recommended to review it. AI may not understand the context of the page and may highlight an insignificant detail or describe the photograph inaccurately.
4. Does the European Accessibility Act mean that every corporate website must meet the same requirements?
No. The act has a specific scope of products and services and also contains exceptions. When it comes to a legal obligation, it is necessary to assess the specific company and service; however, good accessibility principles make UX sense more broadly.
5. Is web design the same as web development?
No. Web design deals with appearance, layout, and user experience. Website creation also includes the actual implementation of the site.
6. Can better web design increase the number of inquiries?
Yes. When a website is clearer, more trustworthy, and guides the user better, this often has a positive impact on conversions as well.
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After sending the non-binding order, all necessary information and instructions will be sent by e-mail. Depending on the nature of the request, there may also be a phone call to go through everything together. Once all the necessary details are received, all documents will be prepared and sent by e-mail along with instructions.
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