Alt Text Left as a Filename Instead of a Real Description

1.1.1 — Non-text Content

Scenario

A job board's application form

The 'alt text' is not really a description — it's a filename (IMG_0234.jpg) or filler word like 'image', which tells the user nothing.

<img src="resume-upload-icon.png" alt="IMG_0234.jpg">

An applicant using a screen reader hears a random filename instead of "upload your resume," and may skip the field thinking it's a broken image.

Right-click the image and check its alt in DevTools: values like 'IMG_2384.jpg', 'image', or 'photo' are not descriptions and fail.

Describe the purpose of the image, never its filename. A filename is meaningless to someone who can't see the icon it belongs to.

<img src="resume-upload-icon.png" alt="Upload your resume">

A job applicant hears "upload your resume" and finds the right button on the first try.

Screen reader and screen magnifier users rely on labels to find the right control among several icons on the form.