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Pulseaccessibility

Images Don't Have Redundant Alt Text

What This Audit Checks

This audit verifies that <img> alt text doesn't simply repeat the text already visible in the surrounding context, such as a parent link or heading. Redundant alt text creates a stuttering experience for screen reader users.

Why It Matters

When alt text duplicates adjacent text, screen readers announce the same content twice. A card with a "Dashboard" heading and an image with alt="Dashboard" is read as "Dashboard, image, Dashboard" -- a jarring and redundant experience.

How to Fix It

  • Use alt="" (empty alt) when the image is decorative and its meaning is already conveyed by adjacent text.
  • Write complementary alt text that adds information the surrounding text doesn't provide. Describe what the image shows beyond the existing text.
  • Audit link cards and list items -- these are the most common places where alt text duplicates the link text or heading.
<!-- Bad: alt duplicates the heading text -->
<div class="card">
  <img src="/dashboard.png" alt="Dashboard" />
  <h3>Dashboard</h3>
</div>

<!-- Good: decorative image with empty alt -->
<div class="card">
  <img src="/dashboard.png" alt="" />
  <h3>Dashboard</h3>
</div>

<!-- Good: alt adds unique information -->
<div class="card">
  <img src="/dashboard.png" alt="Analytics overview showing weekly trends" />
  <h3>Dashboard</h3>
</div>

How Pulse Tracks This

Pulse flags this audit in your Lighthouse accessibility score. When the audit fails, Pulse shows which elements triggered it so you can fix them directly.

Resources