Shopify · Photos · 20 October 2026
Shopify Product Photos and Alt Text
The first photo is the one on the collection grid. Alt text is the sentence that describes it.
By Qasim Malik · 20 October 2026 · 4 minute read
- Where
- The media box on the product
- First image
- The collection card
- Alt text
- What the photo shows
- Order
- Drag to reorder
- Formats
- JPEG, PNG, WebP, and others Shopify lists
Add the photo
Open the product and use the media area. Shopify’s media guide lists the file types. A square or 4:5 crop holds up on a phone grid.
Photograph the item on a plain background for the first frame. A second photo can show the detail a buyer asks about, such as a camera cutout on a phone case.
Alt text
Alt text is on each file. Click the image and fill the alt field. Write the product name and what is visible, such as a black silica gel case on a Samsung Galaxy S23 FE.
The search listing is a separate field. Both should name the product. That listing is Shopify Product SEO.
Order and the grid
The first image is the one collection pages use. Put the clearest photo first. A lifestyle crop that hides the product makes a weak card.
On this website the same idea shows up in Phone Cases: the photo is the case, and the title names the phone.
File size
A very large file slows the page. Export a photo around the size you need for a product grid, then upload. Shopify will generate smaller versions for the theme.
Replace a blurry file rather than stacking five versions of it.
Frequently asked questions
How do I add photos to a Shopify product?
Open the product and add files in the media section. Drag the best photo to the first position.
What is alt text?
A short description of the image, edited on that file. It names the product for someone who cannot see the picture and for search.
Which photo should be first?
The clearest view of the product. That frame is the collection card.
What file type should I upload?
JPEG, PNG, or WebP are the usual choices. Shopify’s media page lists the types it accepts.
Do I need a studio?
A phone photo on a plain background is enough for the first product. Add more frames when the first one is sharp.
One sharp photo and a true alt
Upload the clearest picture, put it first, and write alt text that names the item and the color.
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