Adding visual descriptions to your listing
Adding visual descriptions (alt text) to listing photos is a meaningful action Hosts can take to be inclusive of more guests. They provide access for guests who are blind, have low-vision, or can’t load listing images by describing what’s in the photo.
Unlike photo captions which help convey the mood of a photo, visual descriptions should accurately and objectively describe the contents of a listing photo. Review our tips for writing useful visual descriptions.
Who visual descriptions help
Visual descriptions, also known as alt text, are useful for several audiences and purposes including:
- Making images accessible to people who are blind or low vision and use screen readers, an assistive technology tool. Screen readers read visual descriptions aloud as they come across listing photos.
- Helping users with slow or unreliable internet connections. When images don’t load, visual descriptions may be shown in place of the image.
- Providing context and keywords to search engines, helping them know what your image is about.
How to add a visual descriptions
- Go to Listings
- Select the listing you want to update
- Go to the Photo tour section of the listing editor.
- Under All photos, select a photo and click Edit visual description
- With the editor open, write an image description for the photo, then click Save
- Go to Listings
- Select the listing you want to update
- Go to the Photo tour section of the listing editor.
- Under All photos, select a photo and tap Edit visual description
- With the editor open, write an image description for the photo, then tap Save
- Go to Listings
- Select the listing you want to update
- Go to the Photo tour section of the listing editor.
- Under All photos, select a photo and tap Edit visual description
- With the editor open, write an image description for the photo, then tap Save
- Go to Listings
- Select the listing you want to update
- Go to the Photo tour section of the listing editor.
- Under All photos, select a photo and click Edit visual description
- With the editor open, write an image description for the photo, then click Save
Repeat for each photo and when you’re done, your listing photos will have a badge on them indicating that they have a visual description.
Tips for writing useful descriptions
Writing a visual description is similar to describing the contents of a photo to a friend over the phone. Follow these tips to write better visual descriptions for listing photos.
- Be brief. Descriptions must be fewer than 250 characters, so include important details first.
- Be objective. Describe only what’s shown in the photo. Details about what you love, or the mood of the space should be added to your photo captions instead.
- Describe all unique or important objects in the photo.
- Describe the space shown in the photo, including any stand-out features about its size, style, and lighting.
Example visual description
Visual description:
"A modern armchair with plush gray cushions and blue throw pillows sits between a side table and a tall lamp near a large, sunny window. A world map covers the wall behind the chair."