Last Updated: May 15, 2025
Did you know you can add alt text to Amazon A+ Content? And when used strategically, this little-known field can help improve your product’s visibility in Amazon search.
Sellers use A+ Content to enhance their listings and brand store because it helps shoppers understand the product better and convert faster. In fact, it’s been shown that A+ Content can boost conversion rates by up to 8%.
But here’s the thing: most sellers don’t fully understand how to use A+ Content effectively. And many sellers have no idea that adding strategic alt text on their A+ Content can make a difference in backend SEO, so they fill it with random keywords that don’t help at all.
To fix that, our Amazon agency created this guide. If you’re not sure what alt text is, how to write it, or where to put it, you’ll learn everything you need right here.
Table of Contents
What Is A+ Content Alt Text?
When you visit a website and an image doesn’t load, you’ll often see a short text description in its place that’s called alt text. It tells users (and search engines) what the image is about when it can’t be displayed.
Amazon has a similar feature built into its platform, and it also applies to A+ Content modules. This field isn’t seen by shoppers but exists to help Amazon’s system better understand the image.
In essence, alt text is a brief written description of your product image. More importantly for sellers, it plays a quiet but critical role in improving your SEO by giving Amazon more data to work with behind the scenes.
Benefits of Using Alt Text in A+ Content
Adding alt text to your A+ Content might feel like a chore, especially if you’re loading up multiple modules and image slots. But trust us, adding a well-thought-out alt text is worth the effort, and here’s why:
- Better Visibility in Amazon Search
Alt text gives Amazon more keyword signals, increasing your chances of showing up in relevant search results. - Prevents Keyword Stuffing
You don’t have to cram every keyword into your title or bullet points since alt text gives you another spot to work with. - Higher Conversion Potential
Reaching more relevant shoppers = more traffic. More traffic + better visuals = higher conversions. - Improved SEO Ranking
Amazon crawls A+ Content alt text for indexing, making it another spot to help your listing or brand rank higher in organic search. - Accessibility for Visually Impaired Customers
Screen reader users can “read” your image through your alt text, allowing them to connect with your product, which is a detail many sellers overlook. - More Context for Images
Good alt text helps Amazon understand what’s happening in your images, which improves the overall effectiveness of your content strategy. - Long-Term SEO Gains Without Paid Ads
Alt text works in the background, it’s free, powerful, and can give your listings a visibility edge without spending a dime on PPC.
How to Add Alt Text to Amazon A+ Content
Now that you know how powerful alt text can be for your A+ Content, you’re probably thinking about adding it to your Amazon listing or brand store. The good news is that it’s easy to do so once you know where to look and what to do.
Guidelines for Using Alt Text on A+ Content
Before you start adding alt text to your A+ Content, you need to understand Amazon’s strict policies. Failing to follow these rules can get your listing suppressed or, worse, lead to account suspension.
- Alt text is required for every A+ Content image (standard, premium, KDP).
- Maximum 100 characters per alt text field.
- No punctuation is allowed.
- No restricted or prohibited terms (like “free,” “guaranteed,” “best,” pricing, or promotional language).
- No keyword repetition across multiple images within the same A+ content.
- Alt text fields must be unique for each image.
- Spaces are allowed in alt text (unlike some other fields on Amazon).
Where to Add the Alt Text on Amazon Seller Central
After learning about the rules, the next thing to do is to add alt text to your A+ content, which you can do directly on Seller Central. It only takes a few clicks, just follow these steps:
1. Log in to your Seller Central account.
2. Go to “A+ Content Manager” under the “Advertising” tab.
3. Find the A+ content you want to edit and click “Edit”.
4. Scroll to the image module and click the “Edit” button.
5. In the “Image Keywords” field, enter your alt text.
6. Click “Add” to save it.
7. Repeat for all images in your A+ content.
8. Click “Review and Submit”.
9. Wait up to 24 hours for approval.
What Are the Best Practices for Adding Alt Text to Amazon A+ Content?
To maximize the benefits of alt text on your Amazon A+ Content, you need to follow the right approach when using it. At our Amazon agency, we follow a set of best practices that are tried, tested, and proven to drive results, and we’re sharing them with you.
1. Use Relevant Keywords Strategically
Fill the alt text field with keywords that you want to rank for. This space isn’t just a box to fill, it’s a real SEO opportunity.
2. Max Out the 100 Characters
Amazon gives you 100 characters per image for a reason, so use them. Don’t just write one word or a short phrase when you can squeeze in multiple relevant keywords.
3. Avoid Keyword Duplication Across Images
Each image should have its own unique alt text. Repeating the same keyword over and over across all images is a wasted chance to cast a wider SEO net.
4. Match the Alt Text to the Image Content
The alt text still needs to make sense with the image it’s attached to. Amazon might not enforce this strictly, but it’s smart to keep it logical and accurate.
5. Include Keywords That Don’t Fit in Front-Facing Copy
Use the alt text to add keywords that feel awkward or out of place in your title or bullet points. This is a great spot for backend optimization without affecting how your listing reads.
6. Add Common Misspellings and Variants
People make spelling mistakes when they search, the alt text is a great place to account for that. Just don’t go overboard; add one or two smart variations that are likely to be searched.
7. Include Spanish Keywords
Adding Spanish versions of your keywords in at least one image can help you show up in Spanish-language searches. Sellers have seen Amazon product listings that index for Spanish terms within 48 hours of doing this.
8. Test and Track Indexing
Try adding a new keyword to an image and check your search rankings within 24–48 hours. This is the fastest way to know whether your alt text is helping with indexing.
Amazon SEO Update: Alt Text No Longer Indexes in Some Modules
Amazon is constantly changing how its algorithm interprets and indexes content, and now, alt text is the latest target. Some A+ Content images, especially in comparison charts, are now flagged as decorative, meaning their alt text no longer indexes.
Sellers noticed that alt text added to comparison charts was missing from the backend and wasn’t contributing to SEO. After several case escalations, Amazon confirmed these images are now treated as decorative if they support nearby text.
If Amazon considers the image redundant to the adjacent copy, it strips the alt attribute to meet accessibility standards. This happens even when the alt text is correctly added through Seller Central.
The bigger concern is whether Brand Story modules are next. If Amazon applies the same logic there, brands could lose thousands of valuable alt text characters for indexing.
FAQs About Alt Text in Amazon A+ Content
What if I decide to leave the alt text for A+ Content blank?
You can’t. Amazon now requires alt text on all A+ Content images. If you leave it blank, your content won't be accepted for submission.
How does alt text in A+ Content help boost Amazon SEO?
Alt text helps your images get indexed for keywords even if Amazon doesn’t advertise it. When written with strategic keywords, it can improve your product’s ranking in search results.
How do I write effective alt text for A+ Content?
Use relevant keywords that match the image, and aim to fill the 100-character limit. Avoid repeating the same phrases since each image should have unique, keyword-targeted alt text.
Can Amazon A+ Content alt text be changed after it’s been added?
Yes, you can go back into A+ Content Manager, edit the module, and update the alt text. Just be sure to resubmit it for Amazon’s approval.
How many characters can I use for each alt text entry?
Amazon allows up to 100 characters per image. Use it wisely to include high-priority keywords.
Boost Your Amazon SEO and Sales with Alt Text in A+ Content
Sellers use A+ Content because they believe it improves conversions and builds brand trust. But if you really want to maximize its full potential, you’ve got to understand how every part of it works, including the alt text.
One of the best ways to boost visibility is by adding effective alt text to every image in your A+ Content. When done right, it helps your products rank higher in search and reach more shoppers, so make the most out of it.
Struggling to write alt text for your A+ Content? Reach out to our full-service Amazon agency and let our experts help you out!