SEO Optimization images has become increasingly more important in SEO (Search Engine Optimization) for websites. The ALT attribute is a critical step that is often overlooked. This can be a lost opportunity for better rankings.
In Google's webmaster guidelines, they advise using alternative text for the images in your site:
Images:. Use the alt attribute to provide descriptive text. In addition, we recommend using a human-readable caption and descriptive text round the image.
Why would they ask us to achieve that? The answer is simple, really; search engines have a similar problem as blind users. They cannot see the images.
Many webmasters and inexperienced or unethical SEOs abuse using this attribute, trying to stuff it with keywords, looking to achieve a certain keyword density, which isn't as relevant for rankings now since it was previously.
On the contrary, high keyword density can, on some search engines like google, trigger spam filters, which may create a penalty for the site's ranking. Even without this type of penalty, your site's rankings won't take advantage of this plan.
This method also puts persons who use screen readers in a greater disadvantage. Screen readers are software-based tools that really read aloud the contents of what's shown on the screen. In browsing the web, the alt features of images are read aloud too.
Imagine hearing a paragraph of text that is followed by repetitions of many keywords. The page will be far from accessible, and, to put it bluntly, will be found quite annoying.
What exactly is an Alt attribute?
An ALT attribute shouldn't be used like a description or a label for an image, though lots of people utilize it for the reason that fashion. Although it might seem natural to assume that alternate text is a label or a description, it's not!
What used within an image's alt attribute should be its text equivalent and convey exactly the same information or serve exactly the same purpose the image would.
The goal would be to supply the same functional information that the visual user would see. The alt attribute text should be the "stand in" in the event that the image is unavailable. Think about this: If you were to replace the look using the text, would most users receive the same basic information, and would it create the same response?
A few examples:
Some SEO Optimization Tips
If your search button is a magnifier or binoculars its alt text ought to be 'search' or 'find' not 'magnifying glass' or 'binoculars'.
If an image is meant to convey the literal items in the look, a description is suitable.
If it is meant to convey data, then that information is what is appropriate.
If it's designed to convey the use of a function, then the function itself is what should be used.
Some Alt Attribute Guidelines:
Always add alt attributes to images. Alt is mandatory for accessibility as well as for valid XHTML.
For images that play merely a decorative role within the page, use an empty alt (i.e. alt="") or a CSS background image to ensure that reading browsers do not bother users by uttering such things as "spacer image".
Keep in mind that it's the function of the image we are trying to convey. For example; any button images shouldn't range from the word "button" in the alt text. They should emphasize the action performed through the button.
Alt text ought to be based on context. Exactly the same image inside a different context may require drastically different alt text.
Try to flow alt text with the remainder from the text because that is the way it will be read with adaptive technologies like screen readers. Someone hearing your page should hardly remember that a graphic image can there be.
Please keep in mind that using an alt attribute for every image is needed to satisfy the minimum WAI requirements, that are used as the benchmark for accessibility laws in UK and the rest of Europe. Also, they are required to meet "Section 508" accessibility requirements in america.
It is important to categorize non-text content into three levels:
Eye-Candy
Mood-Setting
Content and Function
I. Eye-Candy
Eye-Candy are stuff that serve no purpose other than to make a site visually appealing/attractive and (in many cases) satisfy the marketing departments. There isn't any content value (though there might be value to some sighted user).
Never alt-ify eye-candy unless there is something there which will boost the usability from the site for someone utilizing a non-visual user agent. Make use of a null alt attribute or background images in CSS for eye-candy.
II. Mood-Setting
This is the middle layer of graphics which may serve to set the mood or set the stage as it were. These graphics are not direct content and could not be considered essential, but they are important in they help frame what is going on.
Try to alt-ify the second group as is sensible and it is relevant. There may be instances when doing this may be annoying or detrimental to other users. Then try to avoid it.
For example; Alt text that's identical to adjacent text is unnecessary, and an irritant to screen reader users. I recommend alt="" or background CSS images in such instances. But sometimes, it's important to get this content inside for those users.
Most times this will depend on context. The same image inside a different context may need drastically different alt text. Obviously, content ought to always be fully available. How you go in this case is really a judgment call.
III. Content and Function
This is where the image is the actual content. Always alt-ify content and functional images. Title and long description attributes can also be so as.
The main reason many authors can't figure out why their alt text isn't working is they don't know why the pictures exist. You need to determined precisely what function a picture serves. Consider what it's concerning the image that's important to the page's intended audience.
Every graphic has a reason behind standing on that page: because it either enhances the theme/ mood/ atmosphere or it is advisable to what are the page is trying to explain. Understanding what the look is perfect for makes alt text easier to write. And exercise writing them definitely helps.
A way to check the usefulness of alternative text would be to imagine reading the page on the phone to someone. An amount you say when encountering a specific image to make the page understandable to the listener?
Aside from the alt attribute you've got a couple more tools available for images.
First, in level of descriptiveness title is within between alt and longdesc. It adds useful information and can add flavor. The title attribute is optionally rendered by the user agent. Remember they're invisible and not shown as a "tooltip" when focus is received via the keyboard. (A lot for device independence). So use the title attribute only for advisory information.
Second, the longdesc attribute points towards the URL of a complete description of the image. If the information found in a picture is important towards the concept of the page (i.e. some important content will be lost if the image was removed), a longer description than the "alt" attribute can reasonably display ought to be used. It may offer rich, expressive documentation of the visual image.
It ought to be used when alt and title are insufficient to embody the visual qualities of the image. As Clark [1] states, "A longdesc is really a long description of the image...The goal is to use any period of description necessary to impart the details of the graphic.
It would not be remiss to hope that the long description conjures an image - the look - in the mind's eye, an analogy that is true even for that totally blind."
Although the alt attribute is mandatory for web accessibility and for valid (X)HTML, not all images need alternative text, long descriptions, or titles.
In many cases, you are better off just choosing your gut instinct -- if it's not essential to incorporate it, and when you don't possess a strong urge to do it, don't add that longdesc.
However, if it's essential for the entire page to operate, then you have to include the alt text (or title or longdesc).
What's necessary and what's not depends a great deal about the function of the image and it is context on the page.
Exactly the same image may require alt text (or title or longdesc) in one spot, although not in another. If an image provides absolutely no content or functional information alt="" or background CSS images may be appropriate to make use of. However, if the image provides content or adds functional information an alt will be required and perhaps a long description will be in order. Oftentimes this kind of thing is a judgement call.
Image Seo optimization Tips
Listed below are key steps in optimizing images:
Choose a logical file name that reinforces the keywords. You can use hyphens in the file name to isolate the keyword, but avoid to exceeding two hyphens. Stay away from underscores as a word separator, like for example "brilliant-diamonds.jpg";
Label the file extension. For instance, when the image internet search engine sees a ".jpg" (JPEG) file extension, it's likely to assume the file is really a photo, and if it sees a ".gif" (GIF) file extension, it's going to assume that it is graphic;
Make sure that the written text at the image that's highly relevant to that image.
Again, do not lose a great chance to help your site together with your images in search engines. Begin using these steps to position better on all the engines and drive increased traffic for your site TODAY.
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