=== Alt Text Studio – Generate image alt text automatically for SEO ===
Contributors: alttextstudio
Tags: alt text, accessibility, seo, woocommerce, ai
Requires at least: 6.0
Tested up to: 7.0
Requires PHP: 7.4
Stable tag: 1.0.0
License: GPLv2 or later
License URI: https://www.gnu.org/licenses/gpl-2.0.html

Automatically generate SEO-optimized, accessibility-friendly alt text for every image. Works with WooCommerce, WPML, Polylang, and SEO plugins.

== Description ==

Alt Text Studio automatically generates alt text for every image you upload — no manual work required. Built for SEO, accessibility compliance (WCAG, ADA, Section 508), and e-commerce stores.

= Key Features =

* **Automatic generation** — every uploaded image gets alt text in the background
* **Bulk generate** — fix hundreds of existing images in one click
* **SEO plugin integration** — Yoast, Rank Math, All in One SEO, SEOPress, The SEO Framework, SmartCrawl, Squirrly
* **WooCommerce** — auto-include product name and brand in alt text
* **Multi-language** — 194 languages with WPML and Polylang support
* **Media Library** — custom column, missing-alt filter, bulk actions
* **Post/page refresh** — sync updated alt text back into post content
* **WP-CLI** — `wp alttextstudio generate` for automation
* **WordPress Multisite** — network-wide settings with shared API key
* **Developer friendly** — actions, filters, constants for full customization

= Unique vs. Other Alt Text Plugins =

* **E-commerce color context** — primary/secondary colors in product image alt text
* **Negative keywords** — explicit list of words to exclude from generated alt text
* **Auto-context hints** — filename and URL path used as hints when they match the image

= Getting Started =

1. Install and activate the plugin
2. Sign up at [alttextstudio.com](https://alttextstudio.com) and generate an API key
3. Paste the key into Settings → Alt Text Studio
4. Upload an image — alt text is automatically generated!

== Installation ==

1. Upload the plugin files to `/wp-content/plugins/alttextstudio-generate-image-alt-text`, or install via the WordPress plugins screen
2. Activate the plugin through the Plugins screen
3. Go to Settings → Alt Text Studio to configure your API key

== Frequently Asked Questions ==

= Do I need an account? =

Yes. Sign up for free at [alttextstudio.com](https://alttextstudio.com) — you get 25 free credits to try it out, no credit card required.

= What happens to existing images? =

Use the Bulk Generate tool under Alt Text Studio → Bulk Generate, or use the bulk action dropdown in the Media Library list view.

= Does it work with WooCommerce? =

Yes. Product name and brand are automatically included in the generated alt text for optimal SEO.

= Does it support multiple languages? =

Yes — 194 languages, with native WPML and Polylang integration.

= Can developers extend it? =

Yes. See the Development tab for actions, filters, and constants.

== External Services ==

This plugin connects to the Alt Text Studio API (hosted at api.alttextstudio.com) to generate alt text for images. When you upload an image or click Generate:

* The image (either as a URL reference or as base64-encoded data) is sent to our servers along with your optional settings (text length, languages, SEO keywords, e-commerce fields, custom prompt).
* Our servers pass the image to our AI provider for analysis and return the generated alt text.
* The image and generated text are associated with your Alt Text Studio account for your library and billing history. You can delete any image from your library at any time via your account dashboard.
* No image content is sent anywhere other than our own servers. We do not share data with advertisers or unrelated third parties.

This service is provided by:

* Alt Text Studio LLC
* Service Terms: https://alttextstudio.com/terms-of-service
* Privacy Policy: https://alttextstudio.com/privacy-policy

An account + API key is required to use this plugin. Your first 25 credits are free; paid plans are described at https://alttextstudio.com/pricing.

== Privacy ==

This plugin's privacy policy is the same as the Alt Text Studio service: https://alttextstudio.com/privacy-policy

Summary of what's transmitted:

* Images you upload or select for generation (sent to our API for processing)
* Image metadata: filename, URL, optional fields you enter (brand, product name, colors, keywords, custom prompts)
* Your site's URL (sent as part of the API request user-agent for support and abuse prevention only; never used for tracking or marketing)

The plugin does not:

* Track site visitors
* Send any usage data to analytics services
* Transmit data from the frontend of your website — only the WordPress admin when you or your team generate alt text

If your site is subject to GDPR, CCPA, or similar regulations, update your own privacy policy to disclose the use of this plugin and link to ours.

== Changelog ==

= 1.0.0 =
* Initial release
