Max AI Alt Text Optimizer is one of the best free alt text generator apps available for Shopify stores. It offers unlimited dynamic format templates and 10 AI optimizations per month on the free plan, making it perfect for small businesses looking to improve their SEO without upfront costs. The app uses advanced multi-modal AI to generate context-aware alt text that follows Google's best practices.
Several alternatives exist in the Shopify app store. Tiny SEO Speed Image Optimizer offers similar functionality with 5-star ratings and free installation. SEOAnt: AI SEO & AI Blog Post provides AI-powered image optimization with a free plan. Another option is to use built-in Shopify features combined with manual optimization, though this lacks the automation and AI capabilities that Max AI offers. Each alternative has different strengths in terms of automation depth and AI quality.
To enable automated alt text optimization for new products, navigate to the app dashboard and enable the 'Daily Automation' feature. You can configure the automation to run daily scans that automatically detect and optimize new product images. The system will use your chosen optimization strategy (AI, Dynamic Format, or manual) to generate appropriate alt text for each new product image, ensuring consistent SEO compliance without manual intervention.
In the Dynamic Format section, you can create custom templates using variables like {{product_title}}, {{variant}}, {{product_type}}, {{collection_title}}, and {{blog_title}}. For example, you could create a template like '{{product_title}} - {{variant}} - Premium Quality'. The app will automatically replace these variables with actual store data, creating consistent, branded alt text across your entire catalog. You can mix variables with your own text for maximum customization.
Max AI allows you to start multiple batches while previous ones are still processing. Each batch operation is sent to the server independently and processed through a global concurrency pool that prevents API rate limits. The system automatically handles queueing for multiple concurrent requests and includes smart retry mechanisms. You can freely navigate between pages and start new batches - they'll be processed efficiently in order without interrupting ongoing optimizations.