What is the significance of using alt text for images?

Using alt text for images is significant primarily because it improves accessibility and helps search engines understand the content of images. Alt text serves as a textual description of an image, which is crucial for individuals who rely on screen readers, such as those with visual impairments. By providing context about what the image depicts, alt text allows these users to understand the information being conveyed alongside the visual content.

In addition to enhancing accessibility, alt text plays an essential role in search engine optimization (SEO). Search engines utilize alt text to better index and categorize images, which can lead to improved visibility in image search results. This added context helps search engines discern the relevance of an image in connection with page content, potentially driving more organic traffic to a site.

The other options do not hold the same importance as option B. Loading times are influenced by image size and format rather than alt text. Alt text does not affect the physical size of an image, nor does it inherently facilitate easier sharing of images across platforms.