When can you skip writing alt text?

There are three main situations where an image can be considered decorative and therefore you don't need to write alt text. When in doubt, it's better to give more information than not enough. 

1. The image provides no important information or context.
   If an image conveys no important information necessary for the user to understand the page content, it can be considered decorative because its only function is to enhance the appearance of the page.
   
   
2. The information in the image is repeated nearby on the page.
   If the exact information communicated by the image is available in an accessible, easily found format nearby on the same screen, it can be considered decorative because it provides no new information and would be redundant to include.
   
   
3. The image is within a link that also has text describing the link's purpose.
   When a linked image is the only item within a link, it needs alt text that describes the link's purpose; however, if visible text within the link is already describing the link's purpose, then you can mark the image as decorative.

Examples of Decorative Images

Image used only for Decoration

This abstract image with a grass-colored background does not provide any visual information that will help someone understand the page content. 

Social Media: Text Repeated Near Image

Since the text "Social Media" is repeated in the heading right next to the image containing the same text, this image can be marked as decorative.