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 the use of alternative text for the images on your site:
Images:. Use the alt attribute to supply descriptive text. Additionally, we recommend using a human-readable caption and descriptive text around the image.
Why would they ask us to do that? The answer is simple, really; search engines have a similar problem as blind users. They cannot begin to 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 once was.
On the contrary, high keyword density can, on some search engines, trigger spam filters, which may create a penalty for the site's ranking. Even without such a penalty, your site's rankings will not take advantage of this tactic.
This process also puts persons who use screen readers in a greater disadvantage. Screen readers are software-based tools that really read aloud the items in what's displayed on the screen. In browsing the web, the alt attributes of images are read aloud as well.
Imagine hearing a paragraph of text which is then repetitions of many keywords. The page would be far from accessible, and, to put it mildly, would be found quite annoying.
What is an Alt attribute?
An ALT attribute should not be used as a description or perhaps a label to have an image, though many people use it for the reason that fashion. Though it might seem natural to assume that alternate text is a label or a description, it's not!
The words used within an image's alt attribute ought to be its text equivalent and convey the same information or serve exactly the same purpose the image would.
The goal would be to provide the same functional information that a visual user would see. The alt attribute text should be the "stand in" in the event that the image is not available. Ask yourself this: If you were to replace the look using the text, would most users get the same basic information, and wouldn't it create the same response?
Some examples:
Some SEO Optimization Tips
If a search button is really a magnifying glass or binoculars its alt text should be 'search' or 'find' not 'magnifying glass' or 'binoculars'.
If an image is supposed to convey the literal items in the look, then a description is suitable.
If it is designed to convey data, then that data is what is appropriate.
If it's designed to convey the use of a function, then your function 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 only a decorative role within the page, use an empty alt (i.e. alt="") or a CSS background image so that reading browsers do not bother users by uttering things like "spacer image".
Remember that it is the function from the image we're trying to convey. For instance; 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 should be determined by context. The same image inside a different context may need drastically different alt text.
Try to flow alt text with the remainder from the text because that's the way it will be read with adaptive technologies like screen readers. Someone hearing your page should hardly be aware that a graphic image is there.
Please remember that utilizing an alt attribute for each image is required to satisfy the minimum WAI requirements, which are used since the benchmark for accessibility laws in UK and also the remainder of Europe. Also, they are necessary to meet "Section 508" accessibility requirements in the US.
It is useful 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) fulfill the marketing departments. There isn't any content value (though there may be value to a sighted user).
Never alt-ify eye-candy unless there's something there that will enhance the usability from the site for somebody utilizing a non-visual user agent. Use 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 happens as it were. These graphics are not direct content and could 't be considered essential, but they're essential in that they help frame what is going on.
Try to alt-ify the 2nd group as is sensible and it is relevant. There might be times when doing this might be annoying or detrimental to other users. Then avoid it.
For instance; Alt text that's identical to adjacent text is unnecessary, and an irritant to screen reader users. I suggest alt="" or background CSS images in such cases. But sometimes, it's vital that you get this content in there for all users.
Usually this will depend on context. The same image in a different context may require drastically different alt text. Obviously, content should always be fully available. The way you go in this case is a judgment call.
III. Content and Function
This is when the image may be the actual content. Always alt-ify content and functional images. Title and long description attributes may also be in order.
The reason many authors can't understand why their alt text isn't working is they don't know why the images exist. You need to figured out exactly what function an image serves. Consider what it's concerning the image that's vital that you the page's intended audience.
Every graphic includes a reason for standing on that page: since it either enhances the theme/ mood/ atmosphere or it is advisable to what are the page is attempting to describe. Understanding what the image is for makes alt text simpler to write. And practice writing them definitely helps.
A way to look into the usefulness of alternative text is to imagine reading the page on the phone to someone. An amount you say when encountering a particular image to create 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 in between alt and longdesc. It adds useful information and can add flavor. The title attribute is optionally rendered through the user agent. Remember they're invisible and never shown as a "tooltip" when focus is received via the keyboard. (So much for device independence). So use the title attribute just for advisory information.
Second, the longdesc attribute points to the Link to a full description of the image. If the information contained in an image is essential towards the meaning of the page (i.e. some important content will be lost if the image was removed), an extended description than the "alt" attribute can reasonably display should be used. It can provide for rich, expressive documentation of the visual image.
It ought to be used when alt and title are insufficient to embody the visual qualities of an image. As Clark [1] states, "A longdesc is a long description of the image...The goal is by using any length of description essential to impart the facts from the graphic.
It wouldn't be remiss to hope that the long description conjures a picture - the look - within the mind's eye, an analogy that holds true even for the totally blind."
Even though alt attribute is mandatory for web accessibility as well as for valid (X)HTML, not every images need alternative text, long descriptions, or titles.
Oftentimes, you're better off just going with your gut instinct -- if it's not essential to include it, and when you don't have a strong urge to get it done, don't include that longdesc.
However, if it's necessary for the whole page to work, then you have to add the alt text (or title or longdesc).
What's necessary and what's not depends a great deal about the function of your image and it is context on the page.
Exactly the same image may need alt text (or title or longdesc) in a single spot, although not in another. If the image provides absolutely no content or functional information alt="" or background CSS images may be appropriate to use. But if the image provides content or adds functional information an alt would be required and maybe a long description would be in order. In many cases this type of thing is really a judgement call.
Image Seo optimization Tips
Listed below are key stages in optimizing images:
Choose a logical file name that reinforces the keywords. You should use hyphens in the file name to isolate the keyword, but avoid to exceeding two hyphens. Stay away from underscores as a word separator, such as "brilliant-diamonds.jpg";
Label the file extension. For instance, when the image search engine sees a ".jpg" (JPEG) file extension, it's going to assume the file is a photo, and when it sees a ".gif" (GIF) file extension, it's going to assume that it is graphic;
Ensure that the written text at the image that is highly relevant to that image.
Again, do not lose a great chance to help your site together with your images searching engines. Begin using these steps to rank better on all of the engines and drive increased traffic for your site TODAY.
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