Adding a text alternative (often called “alt text”) to your listing images makes your shop more accessible and can improve how your products appear in search engines. Alt text provides a short written description of your image for buyers who may not be able to see it, including those using screen readers.
Alt text doesn’t appear visually on your listing, but it:
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Helps blind and low-vision customers understand your products.
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Improves the overall shopping experience.
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Allows search engines like Google to better understand your product images, which may support your SEO.
How to Add Alt Text to Your Images on Dearnex
You can add a text alternative to any image you upload when creating or editing a listing.
On desktop:
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Sign in to your Dearnex Seller Dashboard.
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Go to Media Manager
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Find the image you’d like to edit.
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Click the image edit you want to add a description to.
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Enter your description in the Alt Text field.
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Select Apply.
On the mobile seller app:
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Sign in and go to Media Manager.
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Find the image you want to edit.
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Tap the image you wish to edit.
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Choose Add Alt Text.
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Type your description and tap Save.
You can repeat this process for as many images as you want.
How to Write a Great Image Description
Alt text should be descriptive and useful, not stuffed with keywords. Think about what a buyer would miss if the photo didn’t load.
Best practices:
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Describe the main details: colour, material, shape, style.
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Mention unique features: patterns, finishes, personalisation.
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Keep it short and clear (under 250 characters).
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Use natural language (like how you’d explain it to a customer in person).
Examples of Alt Text
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“Handmade 11th anniversary card with silver foil hearts and personalised text option.”
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“Pair of arch-shaped earrings with mother of pearl droplets, hanging from gold links.”
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“Wooden watch display stand with three vertical holders and custom engraved base.”
What About Size Charts?
If you upload a size chart image, describe it in the alt text (e.g. “Size chart showing small = 8cm, medium = 12cm, large = 15cm”). Alternatively, include the size chart in your listing description, where it’s easier for everyone to read.
What Happens If I Don’t Add Alt Text?
If you don’t provide your own alt text, Dearnex may generate a basic description automatically. While this ensures some level of accessibility, your custom alt text will always be more accurate and effective.
Should I Add Alt Text to Every Image?
You don’t need to describe every single photo. Focus on:
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Your main product image (always add alt text).
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2–3 supporting images (different angles, personalisation details, packaging).
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Skip purely decorative images (background props, icons).
Each image can have unique alt text, helping customers build a fuller picture of your product.
SEO and Alt Text
Alt text supports accessibility first, and SEO second. Adding your product title, shop name, or tags into alt text won’t provide extra SEO benefit (Google already sees that info elsewhere). Instead, focus on writing natural, descriptive alt text that both customers and search engines understand.
By adding text alternatives to your images, you’ll make your listings more inclusive, more discoverable, and more professional.