Watch
Video Alt Text in 30 seconds
A 30-second look at Video Alt Text, the Shopify app that writes alt text for every product image and video automatically, for better search visibility and a more accessible store.
Watch on YouTube (opens in a new tab)Before you begin
What the app covers
Search engines can't see your product photos or watch your videos, and screen readers can't describe them. Alt text does. Video Alt Text writes it for the media on your products.
Every image on your products.
Uploaded videos, and YouTube or Vimeo videos added to products.
Only blank or generic alt text is filled.
Files that aren't on a product are left alone.
Good alt text helps search engines understand your images and videos, and helps people using screen readers. It doesn't promise rankings, and no app makes a store compliant with accessibility laws on its own.
Step one
Install the app
- Open Amethyst AI Video Alt Text on the Shopify App Store.
- Select Install and choose your store.
- Open the app from Shopify admin. You start on the Free plan: 25 product images or videos a month, with AI included.
Step two
Choose images, videos or both
Open Settings and choose whether the app covers product images, product videos or both. Both are on to start with.
Also in Settings, choose the fallback text: the product title, your store name or your own text. It's only used when AI has nothing to look at, for example a video whose preview frame isn't ready yet.
Step three
Click Write missing alt text
On Home, click Write missing alt text. The app works through your store in the background, videos first, then images. It only replaces alt text that's blank or generic:
For example IMG_1234.
Text that doesn't describe the media itself.
"video", "image" or "photo".
No alt text at all.
Anything else is left as it is.
Step four
See how the AI writes it
AI looks at the image, or the video's preview frame, and uses the product's name, type and brand for context. It writes in your store's main language, up to 125 characters, and saves it straight to the file in Shopify.
Step five
Let new media be done for you
New product images and videos get alt text automatically, usually within minutes, and a nightly check picks up anything missed.
Fallback text is only used when AI has nothing to look at. On Pro, Try AI again replaces fallback text with AI alt text later.
Step six
Review changes in Activity
Activity lists every change, with the old and new alt text side by side. Filter by Videos, Images, Fallback text or Couldn't update, and export the list to CSV.
Step seven
Undo if you need to
Undo all changes in Settings puts back the old alt text and skips any you've edited since. Automatic alt text then pauses until you click Write missing alt text again.
Step eight
Use SEO file name ideas on Pro
Shopify doesn't let apps rename product media. On Pro, the app suggests a file name for each image and video, such as blue-wool-scarf-folded.jpg, for you to copy when you next upload it.
The app's pages are Home, Activity, Settings, Plan, Help and FAQ.
Common questions
Video Alt Text FAQ
What does alt text do for my store?
Alt text describes an image or video in words. It helps search engines understand what your product images and videos show, and screen readers read it out to people who can't see them. The app doesn't promise rankings or make your store compliant with any accessibility law on its own.
Which images and videos does it cover?
Images and videos on your products, including uploaded videos and YouTube or Vimeo videos added to products. You can switch images or videos off in Settings. It doesn't cover other files in your store.
Will it change alt text I've already written?
No. It only replaces alt text that's blank or generic: a file name like IMG_1234, just the product title or store name, or a single word like "video", "image" or "photo". Anything else is left as it is.
Does it rename my files?
No. Shopify doesn't let apps rename product media. On Pro the app suggests an SEO file name for each image and video, such as blue-wool-scarf-folded.jpg, for you to copy.
What do the Free and Pro plans include?
Free covers 25 product images or videos a month, with AI included. Pro is $4.99 every 30 days or $49 a year, with a 7-day free trial, and covers unlimited images and videos, SEO file name ideas and Try AI again on fallback text. Billing is through Shopify. If you're on an older plan, you keep it.
Does it add anything to my theme?
No. Nothing is added to your theme, and the app doesn't use any customer data. Alt text is saved straight to your product media in Shopify.
What happens if I uninstall?
Paid plans stop straight away. Alt text already saved stays in Shopify. Everything the app holds is deleted 48 hours after you uninstall.
How do I get help?
Email support@amethystapps.com. Kevin usually replies within one working day.
Start with the free plan
Fill your missing alt text in one click
Free covers 25 product images or videos a month. Pro is $4.99 every 30 days or $49 a year, with a 7-day free trial. See all our setup guides or all our Shopify apps.