How to Add Alt Text and Change File Names in Squarespace
Alt text helps search engines understand your images and makes your site more accessible for visitors using screen readers. In some areas of Squarespace, the image’s file name becomes the alt text automatically, but image blocks and auto layouts require you to add it manually. Keep your alt text short, descriptive, and human‑friendly.
This guide covers how to add alt text, how Squarespace handles it automatically, and how to update image file names.
Alt text best practices
Be descriptive and helpful Keep it around 150–200 characters Use keywords naturally Write in real sentences Skip words like “photo of” or “picture of” Use the SEO report tool to find missing alt text
Use Squarespace AI to generate alt text
Accessing this feature Using Squarespace AI to generate alt text is only available on version 7.1.
You can use the SEO report tool to scan your site, find images that don't have alt text, and review or edit the suggestions offered for those images.
The tool scans for missing alt text in all image blocks, gallery sections, and auto layout sections added to regular and collection pages. Images added to collection items aren't included in the scan.
To use the SEO report tool to generate alt text:
Open the SEO/AI Visibility panel. In the Your SEO Completion Score section, click Improve with AI. The SEO report tool scans your site and flags areas where alt text isn't present. Click Edit or Regenerate to edit the suggested text, or click Save and continue to save and apply the suggested text.
Image file names
If you don’t manually add alt text, the file name becomes the alt text in most areas except image blocks and auto layouts. Rename files using clear, descriptive terms.
To change the file name, update it in the Asset library.
Tip: Only use letters, numbers, underscores, and hyphens.
Site logo
The site title automatically becomes the alt text for your logo.
Image blocks
You can add up to 250 characters of alt text to any image block. If you skip this, the image is hidden from assistive technologies.
Version 7.1 Version 7.0 In the image block editor, click the Content tab. Go to Image alt text, then enter your alt text in the field. The alt text saves automatically.
In the image block editor, click the Content tab. Go to Image alt text, then enter your alt text in the field. The alt text saves automatically.
Auto layout and gallery section images
Accessing this feature Auto layouts and gallery sections are only supported in version 7.1.
Auto layouts
If the image alt text field doesn't appear in the Elements tab, switch the Show image toggle on. To add alt text to images in auto layout sections:
While editing a page, hover over the auto layout section and click Edit Content. Click the Content tab. Click the image you want to add alt text to. Scroll to Image Alt Text and enter your alt text in the field. Click Back, then click Save.
If you don't add alt text to auto layouts, no alt text displays.
Gallery sections
Gallery sections primarily showcase images. If you add a description to gallery section images, it automatically becomes alt text and the caption.
Gallery block images
Accessing this feature In version 7.1 you can only add gallery blocks to blog posts, product items, and individual events.
To add alt text to an image in a gallery block:
Double-click the gallery block or click Edit. Find the image to edit, hover over it, and click the gear icon. Add alt text to the Enter an image title field. If you don't add an image title, text in the description field becomes alt text. Click Save.
Need help fine-tuning your Squarespace site or building one from scratch? Get in touch with a Squarespace expert at Chandra Web Design and let’s make your site shine.
