=== Alt Audit - AI Alt Text Generator & Accessibility Checker ===
Contributors: flance
Tags: alt text, accessibility, ai, image-seo, wcag
Requires at least: 6.0
Tested up to: 6.9
Requires PHP: 7.4
Stable tag: 1.0.5
License: GPLv2 or later
License URI: https://www.gnu.org/licenses/gpl-2.0.html

Fix missing image alt text across your WordPress site instantly — improve accessibility, SEO, and user experience with AI or free rule-based generation.

== Description ==

***Alt Audit** helps WordPress site owners, content creators, and SEO professionals **automatically find and fix missing or low-quality alt text**. Improve accessibility, comply with WCAG standards, and boost image SEO without manual work.

**Key Benefits:**
* Identify missing or weak alt text across your site in minutes
* Generate descriptive alt text using AI or free rule-based templates
* Bulk process hundreds or thousands of images efficiently
* Improve SEO and discoverability of images
* Ensure WCAG 2.1 Level A compliance

= Who Is This For? =
* Website Owners – Fix accessibility issues and avoid legal risk
* SEO Professionals & Agencies – Boost image SEO with optimized alt text
* Content Creators – Save hours of manual alt text writing
* Developers – Integrate accessibility best practices in your workflow
* eCommerce Sites – Make product images discoverable
* Accessibility Consultants – Audit client sites with detailed reports
* Large Image Libraries – Bulk generation & quality control

= Key Features =
**AI-Powered Generation**
* Context-aware alt text for complex images
* Integrates focus keywords from Yoast SEO or Rank Math
* Free 25 credits for first-time users

**Rule-Based Templates (FREE)**
* Works offline, no API needed
* Customizable variables: site name, page/post title, image filename, caption, description, existing alt
* Ideal for structured content or large libraries

**Accessibility Auditing**
* WCAG 2.1 Level A compliance focus
* Detect missing, weak, or decorative alt text
* Actionable recommendations per image
* Real-time monitoring for new uploads

**5-Status Quality Scoring**
1. Missing (Critical)
2. Decorative (WCAG-compliant)
3. Weak (Needs Improvement)
4. Good (Acceptable)
5. Excellent (Optimal)

**WordPress Integration**
* Media Library enhancements
* Gutenberg block & Classic Editor support
* Dashboard overview & bulk actions
* Page builder compatibility
= Free vs. AI Generation =

**Free Rule-Based Generation:**
* Works offline without API connection
* Uses customizable templates with variables: site name, page title, post title, product title, image filename, caption, description, and existing alt text
* Context-aware patterns that adapt based on content type (homepage, pages, posts, products, custom post types)
* No credits required - completely free
* Great for images with descriptive filenames or structured content

**AI-Powered Generation:**
* Analyzes actual image content using computer vision
* Generates context-aware, natural language descriptions
* Integrates SEO focus keywords from Yoast SEO and Rank Math
* Best for complex images needing detailed descriptions

= WCAG Compliance =

Alt Audit helps you meet WCAG 2.1 Level A requirements for image accessibility:

* Non-text content (images) has text alternatives
* Alt text is meaningful and descriptive
* Decorative images are properly marked (empty alt attribute)


= How It Works =

**Quick Start in 3 Steps:**

1. **Scan Your Site** - Click the "Scan All Images" button to identify all images and evaluate their alt text quality
2. **Generate Alt Text** - Choose AI-powered generation for accurate descriptions or use free rule-based templates
3. **Review & Publish** - Edit generated alt text if needed and save to improve accessibility and image SEO

**For Free Rule-Based Generation:**
No API key needed! The plugin uses your image metadata (filename, title, caption) to create descriptive alt text instantly.

**For AI-Powered Generation:**
Sign up at [altaudit.com](https://altaudit.com?utm_source=wp-plugin&utm_medium=readme&utm_campaign=how-it-works) to get your API key. Start with 10 free credits - each credit processes one image with advanced AI analysis.

== Installation ==

1. Upload the plugin files to `/wp-content/plugins/alt-audit/` or install through WordPress plugins screen
2. Activate the plugin through the 'Plugins' screen in WordPress
3. Go to Alt Audit > Settings to configure your preferences
4. (Optional) Enter your API key for AI-powered generation
5. Start auditing your images from the Alt Audit dashboard

== Frequently Asked Questions ==

= Do I need an API key to use Alt Audit? =

No, you can start using Alt Audit immediately without an API key! The free rule-based alt text generation works completely offline. However, for AI-powered generation that analyzes actual image content using computer vision, you'll need an API key from [altaudit.com](https://altaudit.com?utm_source=wp-plugin&utm_medium=readme&utm_campaign=faq). New users get 25 free credits to try the AI features.

= What's the difference between AI and rule-based generation? =

**Rule-based generation (FREE):**
* Uses customizable templates with 9 variables: site name, site description, page title, post title, product title, image filename, caption, description, and existing alt text
* Context-aware patterns that automatically adapt based on content type (homepage, pages, posts, products, custom post types)
* Works instantly without API connection
* No credits required - completely unlimited
* Great for images with descriptive filenames or structured content
* Perfect for large image libraries

**AI-powered generation (CREDITS):**
* Analyzes actual image content using computer vision
* Generates context-aware, natural language descriptions
* Integrates SEO focus keywords from Yoast SEO and Rank Math
* Best for complex images that need detailed descriptions
* Understands image context and composition

= Does this plugin make my website 100% accessible? =

No single plugin can guarantee 100% accessibility. Alt Audit is a powerful scanning and generation tool that helps you identify and fix image accessibility issues, specifically focusing on WCAG 2.1 Level A Success Criterion 1.1.1 (Non-text Content). Complete accessibility requires a combination of automated tools, manual review, and ongoing maintenance. Alt Audit makes the image accessibility part significantly easier.

= What WCAG standards does this plugin check? =

Alt Audit focuses on WCAG 2.1 Level A compliance, specifically Success Criterion 1.1.1 (Non-text Content) for image accessibility. This includes checking for:
* Missing alt text (critical accessibility barrier)
* Empty alt text for decorative images (appropriate use)
* Weak or insufficient alt text descriptions
* Alt text length compliance (best practices recommend under 125 characters)

= Can I use this for bulk alt text generation? =

Yes! Alt Audit includes powerful bulk processing tools that let you:
* Scan your entire media library at once
* Generate alt text for multiple images simultaneously
* Choose between AI or rule-based generation methods
* Review and edit generated alt text before saving
* Process hundreds or thousands of images efficiently

= Does this work with Gutenberg and page builders? =

Yes! Alt Audit integrates seamlessly with:
* **Gutenberg (Block Editor)** - Enhanced image blocks with real-time quality checking and generation buttons
* **Classic Editor** - Full support with meta boxes for content-specific auditing
* **Media Library** - Quality indicators, bulk actions, and inline editing
* Most page builders work through the WordPress media library integration

= Will this improve my image SEO? =

Absolutely! Properly written alt text provides multiple image SEO benefits:
* Helps search engines understand your images for better image SEO
* Improves image search rankings and visibility
* Enhances overall page relevance and accessibility
* Provides context for content indexing
* AI generation integrates focus keywords from Yoast SEO and Rank Math for optimized image SEO

= Is the quality assessment automatic? =

Yes! Alt Audit  scans and assesses all your images, categorizing them into 5 quality statuses:
1. **Missing** - No alt text (Critical - fails WCAG)
2. **Decorative** - Empty alt text (Appropriate for decorative images)
3. **Weak** - Present but lacks detail (Needs improvement)
4. **Good** - Adequate description (Acceptable)
5. **Excellent** - Rich, contextual description (Optimal)

This makes it easy to identify which images need immediate attention.

= Can I manually edit the generated alt text? =

Yes! Alt Audit gives you full control. You can:
* Review all generated alt text before saving
* Edit any generated descriptions
* Manually add or modify alt text in the media library
* Bulk edit multiple images
* Choose which images to process

= How is pricing structured for AI generation? =

Alt Audit uses a simple **pay-as-you-go** pricing model:
* Get **25 free credits** when you sign up
* Each credit = 1 image analyzed and processed
* Purchase credit packages as needed
* No monthly subscriptions required
* Rule-based generation is always 100% free
* **Special agency plans** available for SEO agencies and consultants managing multiple client sites
* **White label options** to rebrand the plugin with your agency's branding

Visit [altaudit.com](https://altaudit.com/pricing?utm_source=wp-plugin&utm_medium=readme&utm_campaign=faq-pricing) for current pricing and packages.

= Do you offer plans for SEO agencies? =

Yes! We have special plans designed specifically for SEO agencies and consultants:
* **Agency Plans** - Discounted pricing for managing multiple client websites
* **White Label Options** - Rebrand the plugin with your agency's name and branding
* **Centralized Management** - Manage credits and settings across all client sites
* **Priority Support** - Dedicated support for your agency team
* **Reseller Opportunities** - Offer Alt Audit as part of your service packages

Contact us at [altaudit.com/contact](https://altaudit.com/contact?utm_source=wp-plugin&utm_medium=readme&utm_campaign=faq-agency) to learn more about agency plans and white label options.

= Will this slow down my website? =

No! Alt Audit is built for performance:
* Scanning happens only in the admin dashboard
* No front-end JavaScript or CSS loaded for visitors
* AI processing happens via external API (doesn't consume server resources)
* Rule-based generation is instant and local
* No impact on page load times for your visitors

= Does this connect to third-party services? =

The AI-powered generation feature connects to the Alt Audit API (https://altaudit.com/api/v1) to analyze images and generate descriptions. This connection is:
* **Optional** - Only used when you choose AI generation
* **Secure** - All data transmitted over HTTPS
* **Privacy-focused** - Only sends image URLs and optional context data
* **Transparent** - See our [Privacy Policy](https://altaudit.com/privacy-policy?utm_source=wp-plugin&utm_medium=readme&utm_campaign=faq) and [Terms of Service](https://altaudit.com/terms-of-service?utm_source=wp-plugin&utm_medium=readme&utm_campaign=faq) at altaudit.com

The free rule-based generation does NOT connect to any external services and works completely offline.

== Screenshots ==

1. Dashboard overview showing site-wide accessibility statistics
2. Media Library with quality status indicators
3. AI and rule-based generation options
4. Settings page for API and preference configuration
5. Bulk audit and generation tools interface
6. Gutenberg integration with real-time quality checking

== Support ==

We're here to help you make your website more accessible!

= Getting Help =

* **Documentation** - Visit [altaudit.com/docs](https://altaudit.com/docs?utm_source=wp-plugin&utm_medium=readme&utm_campaign=support) for detailed guides and tutorials
* **Support Forum** - Get community support at [wordpress.org/support/plugin/alt-audit](https://wordpress.org/support/plugin/alt-audit/)
* **Bug Reports** - Report issues through the WordPress.org support forum
* **Feature Requests** - We love hearing your ideas! Share them in the support forum

== External Services ==

This plugin connects to the Alt Audit external service for AI-powered alt text generation features.

**Service Information:**
* Service URL: https://altaudit.com/api/v1
* Service Provider: Alt Audit
* Terms of Service: https://altaudit.com/terms-of-service?utm_source=wp-plugin&utm_medium=readme&utm_campaign=external-services
* Privacy Policy: https://altaudit.com/privacy-policy?utm_source=wp-plugin&utm_medium=readme&utm_campaign=external-services

**Data Transmitted:**
When using AI-powered alt text generation, the following data is sent to the Alt Audit API:
* Image URLs (publicly accessible URLs of your WordPress images)
* API Key (for authentication)
* Image context data (optional: image title, caption, page title, categories, tags, and focus keywords from Yoast SEO or Rank Math if available)

**When Data is Sent:**
* Only when you manually trigger AI-powered alt text generation
* During bulk AI generation operations (if enabled)
* When auto-generation on upload is enabled (optional feature)

**Important Notes:**
* The free rule-based alt text generation does NOT connect to external services
* All data transmission happens over secure HTTPS connections
* You can use the plugin's audit features without connecting to the API
* API connection is only required for AI-powered generation features

== Changelog ==
= 1.0.5 =
* Refactored: Improved image MIME type handling across controllers and services
* Refactored: Enhanced image handling in list table and meta box components
* Refactored: Simplified max_length handling in API client
* Removed: PHP execution time limit adjustment for batch processing
* Improved: Overall code quality and performance optimizations

= 1.0.4 =
* Refactored: Migrated to WordPress core APIs (WP_Query, Options API, Custom Taxonomy)
* Refactored: Enhanced input validation and sanitization across all controllers
* Refactored: Strengthened nonce verification and permission checks
* Refactored: Updated all prefixes to unique identifier
* Fixed: Bulk processing duplicate image issue
* Improved: Code quality and WordPress coding standards compliance

= 1.0.3 =
* Security: Added nonce verification to all AJAX handlers using check_ajax_referer()
* Security: Added permission checks (current_user_can) to all AJAX handlers
* Security: Refactored SQL queries to use wpdb::prepare() with proper placeholders
* Security: Removed direct $_GET/$_REQUEST manipulation
* Security: Added input validation for style, status, and filter parameters
* Fixed: PHPCS line length compliance - shortened plugin description header
* Improved: WordPress Coding Standards compliance
* Removed: Unused backup files from distribution

= 1.0.2 =
* Fixed: Removed all inline scripts and styles for WordPress.org compliance
* Fixed: Moved inline CSS to compiled SCSS modules
* Fixed: Moved inline JavaScript to proper module files
* Updated: Contributors field to match WordPress.org account
* Enhanced: All scripts and styles now properly enqueued
* Improved: Code organization and WordPress Coding Standards compliance

= 1.0.1 =
* Added free rule-based alt text generation
* Updated plugin name to reflect full feature set
* Updated WCAG compliance text to accurately reflect Level A (1.1.1) focus
* Added translator comments for internationalization
* Improved settings page clarity
* Fixed activity logging for dashboard

= 1.0.0 =
* Initial release
* AI-powered alt text generation
* 5-status quality assessment system
* WCAG Level A compliance checking
* Media Library integration
* Gutenberg block support
* Bulk audit tools

== Upgrade Notice ==
= 1.0.5 =
Improved image handling and MIME type processing. Enhanced tracking with UTM parameters. Recommended update for better performance.

= 1.0.4 =
Major refactoring for WordPress.org compliance. All prefixes updated to unique identifiers. Fixed bulk processing issues.

= 1.0.3 =
Security and WordPress.org compliance update. 

= 1.0.2 =
WordPress.org compliance update: Fixed inline scripts/styles. Recommended update before submitting to directory.

= 1.0.1 =
New free rule-based generation feature! Generate alt text without using credits.

= 1.0.0 =
Initial release of Alt Audit.
