## **🔍 Overview**

When running an Onpage Audit in Search Atlas, you may notice tasks flagging images that ask you to add alt text — but the images appear to be SVG files. This article explains why this happens, what Search Atlas currently supports, and what steps you should take to protect your SEO.

## **⚠️ Known Limitation: No Alt Text Suggestions for SVG Images**

Search Atlas does **not** generate alt text suggestions for SVG (Scalable Vector Graphics) images. This is a current product limitation. When the Onpage Audit detects an SVG image that is missing an **alt** attribute, it will still flag the image as an issue — but it will not provide a recommended alt text value the way it does for standard raster images (JPEG, PNG, WebP, etc.).

This means if you see an alt text task referencing an SVG file, you will need to write the alt text yourself and apply it directly in your website's code or CMS.

## **📋 How to Identify SVG Image Tasks in Your Audit**

1. Navigate to your Onpage Audit report inside Search Atlas.
2. Locate the **Image Alt Text** issue section.
3. Review the flagged image URLs. SVG files will have a **.svg** file extension in their URL path (for example, `logo.svg` or `icon-arrow.svg`).
4. These tasks will not include a pre-filled alt text suggestion. You will need to provide the value manually.

## **✍️ What Alt Text Should You Write for SVG Images?**

Even though Search Atlas does not generate suggestions for SVGs, writing good alt text for them follows the same SEO best practices as any other image. Use the guidance below:

- **Describe the image's purpose, not just its appearance.** Ask yourself: what would a visitor miss if this image did not load? Answer that question in plain language.
- **Be concise.** Aim for one short sentence — typically under 125 characters.
- **Include a relevant keyword naturally** if it fits the context. Never force keywords or stuff the alt attribute.
- **If the SVG is purely decorative** (such as a background shape or divider line), use an empty alt attribute (`alt=""`). This tells screen readers to skip it and prevents unnecessary noise for assistive technology users.
- **If the SVG is a logo**, include the brand name and the word "logo" — for example, *Search Atlas logo*.
- **If the SVG is an icon with a functional purpose** (such as a search or menu icon), describe its action — for example, *Open navigation menu*.

## **📉 Will Missing SVG Alt Text Hurt My SEO?**

Yes, it can — depending on how the SVG is used on the page. Here is what you need to know:

- **Search engines index alt text** as part of image and page relevance signals. SVG images embedded directly in HTML (inline SVGs) or referenced via an **`<img>`** tag without alt text represent a missed optimisation opportunity.
- **Accessibility is a ranking consideration.** Google's guidance aligns helpful alt text with better page quality signals. Pages with missing alt text on meaningful images may rank lower in image search and can receive lower Core Web Vitals accessibility scores.
- **The impact varies by context.** A missing alt attribute on a decorative SVG icon is unlikely to cause a significant SEO drop. A missing alt attribute on an SVG infographic or hero image that communicates key page content is a more meaningful gap to fix.
- **Resolving the task in the Onpage Audit** after you have manually added alt text will require you to re-crawl the page so Search Atlas can verify the fix. Use the **Re-crawl** option within the audit to update the task status.

## **✅ Recommended Workflow for SVG Alt Text Tasks**

1. Open your Onpage Audit and filter for **Image Alt Text** issues.
2. Identify which flagged images are SVG files by checking the file extension in the image URL.
3. For each SVG, decide whether it is **meaningful** (needs descriptive alt text) or **decorative** (needs an empty alt attribute).
4. Write your alt text following the best-practice guidelines above.
5. Apply the alt attribute in your CMS, page builder, or directly in your site's HTML.
6. Return to the Onpage Audit and trigger a re-crawl of the affected page to confirm the issue is resolved.

## **🛠️ What Search Atlas Is Working On**

SVG alt text suggestion support is a known gap in the current version of the Onpage Audit. Our product team is aware of this limitation and it is under review for a future update. When this capability becomes available, you will be able to receive AI-generated alt text suggestions for SVG images the same way you do for standard image formats.

## **💬 Need More Help?**

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.