Describe the view, not every option
A product with several variants does not need a list of every available size and color in every image description. Describe the variant and details actually shown. Check the image association in Shopify when you need to identify a specific variant; Legible does not infer a verified variant-to-image mapping.
Make alternate views useful
Illustrative examples: 'Blue button-down shirt with long sleeves, front view'; 'Back of blue shirt with a straight hem'; 'Close-up of the shirt collar and white buttons'. Only use these details when they match your image. A different view can merit different text without inventing new product claims.
Use verified context carefully
A title, vendor and product type can orient a draft, but they do not prove which option appears in the photograph. Do not guess size, fabric composition or finish from an ambiguous image. Review the draft against reliable product details and remove uncertainty rather than padding it with keywords.
Check language and placement
Choose the language you want for the base alt field before generating. This does not create Shopify Markets translations. Check localized storefronts separately. Keep descriptions concise; Shopify permits 512 characters and recommends 125 or fewer. The shorter target is a writing guideline, not a universal accessibility rule.
Try the writing check
Check a description in your browser. Text stays on your device; no image is uploaded or analyzed.
Try Legible on your Shopify product images. Start with 25 credits per calendar month, then review drafts before approving.
References and further reading
Shopify’s alt-text instructions and limits · W3C’s image alt decision tree