Search Atlas Help Center

🗑️ Delete Non-Applicable Alt Text Issues in OTTO

Open in
View as Markdown Open in ChatGPT Open in Claude
Camilo Aponte

Camilo Aponte

Last updated on Sep 30, 2026

🔍 Overview

When OTTO's On Page Optimizer scans your page for image alt text issues, it may flag items that are not applicable to your site — such as SVG files, icon fonts, or other unsupported image types that do not require alt text. These line items cannot be fixed automatically, but you can manually delete them so your audit reflects only actionable tasks.

This article walks you through how to identify and remove those non-applicable alt text issues in the new OTTO format.

🤔 Why Are SVG and Unsupported Items Flagged?

OTTO scans all image elements on a page and flags any that are missing alt text attributes. Some of these may include:

  • SVG files — inline or embedded SVGs that are decorative or icon-based
  • Icon fonts rendered as images — elements that visually appear as images but are not standard img tags
  • Unsupported image formats — file types that OTTO cannot automatically apply alt text to

These items are flagged because the scanner detects a missing alt attribute, but in many cases no alt text is needed or the format is not supported for automated fixes. Deleting these line items tells OTTO they are not applicable to your workflow.

🧭 How to Navigate to the On Page Optimizer

  1. Log in to your Search Atlas account.
  2. In the left sidebar, go to OTTO SEO → All Sites (SEO Automation) and select your site.
  3. Open OTTO Grader (the OTTO Grader is also accessible from OTTO SEO → Overview).
  4. Scroll to the Image Alt Text task group to see all flagged alt text issues.

🗑️ How to Delete a Non-Applicable Alt Text Line Item

  1. Locate the alt text issue you want to remove. Review the file name or image path to confirm it is an SVG, icon, or unsupported item that does not need alt text.
  2. Find the delete option for that line item within the row.
  3. Click the delete option to remove the line item from your On Page Optimizer task list.
  4. Repeat these steps for any additional non-applicable items in the alt text group.

Note: Deleting a line item does not make any changes to your live page. It only removes the task from OTTO's audit list, indicating that it is not applicable to your optimization workflow.

✅ Tips for Managing Alt Text Issues Efficiently

  • Review before deleting — Check each flagged item carefully. Some SVGs used as content images (such as infographics) may still benefit from a descriptive alt attribute.
  • Decorative images — Purely decorative images that add no informational value are safe candidates for removal from the audit list.
  • Keep a record — If you are managing multiple pages, note which item types you are removing so you can apply consistent decisions across your site.

If you need further assistance, open the chat widget in the bottom-right corner of the platform and type human teammate to be connected with a member of our team.