Alt Text Studio · Documentation

The generated alt text is wrong or generic

When the AI misses, what to try next: regenerate, custom prompt, or the Detailed text length.

If the AI's output isn't matching the image well, you have several knobs to turn before giving up.

1

Regenerate

Hit Regenerate to take another pass. The same image and options can produce a noticeably different description on a second run, especially when the scene is busy.

2

Turn on Auto-detect Context

Auto-detect Context (the toggle at the top of the Options panel, on by default) feeds extra hints from the image's filename and URL path into the prompt. If your filenames are descriptive (e.g. kitchen-renovation-after.jpg) this can meaningfully nudge the AI toward the right subject. If it's off, flip it on and regenerate.

3

Switch to Detailed text length

The Normal text length is short and abstract. Detailed forces the AI to describe specifics (objects, layout, lighting, mood). More details surfaced = better chance of catching the right ones.

4

Use a custom prompt

Tell the AI specifically what to focus on: *"Always describe the main subject's position, expression, and clothing. Ignore the background unless central."* Custom prompts are the strongest steering tool.

5

Add ecommerce details (for product photos)

If it's a product image, fill in Brand, Product, Primary Color, and Secondary Color. The AI is otherwise guessing at brand identity from logos alone.

6

Edit and save

AI alt text is a starting point. If the bones are right but you need to tweak a phrase, edit the textarea and click Save to commit your change. Your edit overrides the AI's version.

If the Detailed text length plus a custom prompt still misses badly, the image itself may be ambiguous (heavily abstract, or low-res). In that case manual writing is your best bet.

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