Adjust alt text length
Overview
SmartAlt lets you control how long generated alt text can be. If you want shorter or longer descriptions, update the Alt text character limit in the app’s Settings screen.
In Shopify admin, open Apps → SmartAlt - AI Alt Text → Settings. In the Alt Text preferences section, you can set the character limit anywhere from 100 to 256 characters. The default value is 125.
Change the alt text character limit
In Shopify admin, go to Apps → SmartAlt - AI Alt Text → Settings.
The Settings page includes sections such as AI Configuration, Automation, and Alt Text preferences.
Scroll to the Alt Text preferences section.
This area also includes options like Include vendor name, Include product title, and Specific metafields.
In the Alt text character limit field, type the maximum length you want SmartAlt to use when generating alt text.
Minimum: 100 characters
Maximum: 256 characters
Default: 125 characters
Below the field, SmartAlt shows the guidance text: Recommended: 125 characters (Min 100, Max 256).
Click Save at the top of the Settings page to apply the new limit.
Once saved, SmartAlt will use this character limit for future alt text generation.
What this setting affects
The Alt text character limit affects new alt text generated by SmartAlt. This applies when you run generation from the app’s Generate Alt Text screen or from Shopify using Manage with SmartAlt.
On the Generate Alt Text screen, SmartAlt uses your saved settings when you click Generate Alt Text.
If you select products in Shopify and use More actions → Apps → Manage with SmartAlt, the same saved character limit is used for that generation run.
Tips for choosing the right length
Choose a shorter limit if you want more concise alt text across large product catalogs.
Choose a longer limit if your images need more descriptive detail, especially when products include multiple visible attributes.
If you also enable Include vendor name, Include product title, or Specific metafields, a higher limit can give SmartAlt more room to include those details naturally.