Write useful alternative text for appeal photographs

Alternative text helps people understand an image when they cannot see it or it does not load. For a public appeal, it should describe the relevant visual information accurately. It is not a place to hide keywords, repeat every paragraph, or insert claims the image cannot support.

Describe the visible subject

Use a short description that identifies the image's role and a few useful visible details. For example, an authorized appeal might describe a recent portrait and a distinctive item of clothing. Avoid guesses about ethnicity, health, mood, or identity beyond the confirmed context.

If the person's name already appears clearly beside the image, consider whether repeating it adds anything. The surrounding page and the image description should work together.

Keep important text in text

If a poster contains a contact route or event date, put that information in readable page text as well. A long block of text embedded in an image is difficult to use on a small screen or with assistive technology.

• What information does the image add?
• Which visible details matter for recognition?
• Does the description avoid unsupported inference?
• Are essential instructions available outside the image?

Update descriptions with the image

When replacing a photograph, check its alternative text too. An accurate description of the old image can become misleading on the new one.

Use plain language and preserve the same privacy choices as the visible appeal. Information withheld from public text should not appear in image descriptions, filenames, or other metadata simply because it is less obvious on screen.