Translating image alt text in multiple languages

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Topic summary

A store owner seeks a way to translate image alt text across multiple languages in Shopify. Currently, no native feature exists for this functionality.

Current Workaround:

  • Upload the same image twice with different alt text for each language
  • Use the ā€œTranslate & Adaptā€ feature to assign language-specific versions

Community Concerns:

  • Users express frustration that Shopify markets itself as multilingual but lacks basic translation features for alt text
  • Some elements require custom Liquid code and translation keys, which are not accessible to all users
  • The workaround is seen as cumbersome and not truly multilingual

Potential Solutions:

  • One suggestion involves allowing HTML code input in the alt text field
  • A third-party app (EZ Product Image Translate) is recommended for translating product image alt text specifically

Status: The issue remains unresolved natively, with users relying on manual workarounds or paid apps to achieve multilingual alt text.

Summarized with AI on October 27. AI used: claude-sonnet-4-5-20250929.
1

Dear Shopify community, I have a multilingual store and one of the options I am looking for is to translate and adapt the image (media) Alt text. I could not find such feature, therefore I am updating alt text in multiple languages within the same image. I would be thankful if someone can share better advise.

2

Hi @chernevs , itā€™s not currently possible. The workaround (which it sounds like youā€™re doing) is to upload the image twice with different alt text and ā€˜translate the imageā€™ in Translate & Adapt to the same image but with different alt text.

2 Likes
3

Could you explain that a little bit more?

4

Hello, we have to stop attracting people by saying that shopify is multilingual, itā€™s not the case. I had to fiddle with custom liquid in many places to try to translate my site. And now Iā€™m also stuck with the alt of images, if Iā€™d known that I wouldnā€™t have come to this platform, itā€™s a lie, shopify isnā€™t really multilingual.

5

Hi @PosterPhotos custom liquid can be made translatable using translation keys, though it is not trivial: https://www.shopify.com/uk/partners/blog/translation-keys . Without third party apps or custom coding there are very few parts of a Shopify store that are not translatable (e.g. tags are not).

6

Goodnight and thank you for your response. In fact, it is not a solution within everyoneā€™s reach, which on a platform that announces multilingualism should be the basis. For the alt of images itā€™s the same thing, whatā€™s the point of translating your site if something quite important like this is not possible without special development. Iā€™ll keep looking but Iā€™m sorry itā€™s not normal that basic multilingual features are not included. Or you have to say before you register if you want a completely multilingual site you will pay 10 times more for your site than elsewhere. Have a good evening

3 Likes
7

Maybe easier if shopify allow user to input html code at image alt text bar?

8

Has there been any new updates or solutions for this problem? I am looking to have alt text in multiple languages and I am not sure how to do it the right way now.

2 Likes
9

Hey !

The best app to use to translate the Product Image alt text (the most important) is EZ Product Image Translate

You can try it for free !