This article explains why alt text doesn't appear as a hover tooltip in Finalsite Composer, including the difference between Alt Text and Title Tags (Hover Text) and why hover-based tooltips aren't an accessibility standard.
💡Quick answers
- Why doesn't alt text show up when hovering over an image? Alt text and hover text (title tags) are two different attributes; alt text is read by screen readers and only appears if the image fails to load, it is not designed to display as a tooltip on hover.
- What is the difference between alt text and title tags? Alt text is a mandatory attribute describing an image's content and purpose for accessibility, while title tags are an optional attribute that create a small pop-up tooltip only when a mouse hovers over an element.
- Can mobile or keyboard-only users see title tag tooltips? No, touchscreens have no hover state so mobile users never see them, and most browsers don't display title tags when an element is focused with the Tab key.
- Should important information be placed in a title tag tooltip? No, essential information should go in the Alt Text field or as visible text on the page, such as a Caption field or Text Element, rather than relying on a hover-only tooltip.
- What is the current ADA Title II compliance deadline for web content? Per the April 2026 DOJ Interim Final Rule, districts of 50,000 or more must comply by April 26, 2027, and smaller and special districts must comply by April 26, 2028.
A common question during accessibility audits is: “I’ve added alt text, so why doesn’t it show up when I hover my mouse over the image?” It is important to understand that Alt Text and Hover Text (Title Tags) are two distinct attributes with very different purposes. Alt text is a structural requirement for accessibility, while hover text is a legacy visual feature.
🚨Compliance Extension Update: ADA Title II
Per the April 2026 Department of Justice (DOJ) Interim Final Rule, compliance dates for the ADA Title II mandate have been extended by one year. All school district web content, including PDFs and electronic documents, must meet WCAG 2.1 Level AA standards by these revised deadlines:
- Districts 50,000+: Must be compliant by April 26, 2027.
- Districts < 50,000 & Special Districts: Must be compliant by April 26, 2028.
To learn more about how Finalsite is helping our users reach compliance under this new timeline, check out the article, "ADA WCAG 2.1 Accessibility at Finalsite."
In this article
- Alt text vs title tags: Understanding the difference
- Why hover text is not an accessibility standard
- Best Practice: Avoid tooltips for critical info
Alt text vs title tags: Understanding the difference
Alt Text (Alternative Text): This is a mandatory attribute used to describe the content and purpose of an image. It is read aloud by screen readers and displayed if an image fails to load. It is the primary standard for WCAG 2.1 compliance.
Title Tags (Tooltips): This is an optional attribute that creates a small pop-up box (tooltip) only when a mouse pointer hovers over an element.
Why hover text is not an accessibility standard
Title tag technology is no longer considered a best practice for modern web design. Relying on hover-based information creates significant barriers for many users:
Mobile Users: Because touchscreens do not have a "hover" state, mobile users can never see title tags.
Keyboard-Only Users: Most browsers do not display title tags when an element is focused via the Tab key.
Screen Reader Users: Many screen readers are configured to ignore title tags to avoid redundant or distracting "noise" while reading a page.
Best practice: Avoid tooltips for critical info
Our recommendation is to avoid using tooltips for any information that is essential to the user's understanding of the page. If the information is important enough to include, it should be placed in the Alt Text field or as visible text on the page.
⚠️ Important Note
If you need to provide a caption or additional context for an image that everyone can see, use a Caption field or a Text Element immediately below the image rather than relying on a Title Tag.
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