SEO Optimization images is becoming more and more important in SEO (Seo optimization) for websites. The ALT attribute is a critical step that is sometimes forgotten. This is often 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:. Make use of the alt attribute to supply descriptive text. Additionally, we recommend utilizing 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 can't begin to see the images.
Many webmasters and inexperienced or unethical SEOs abuse using this attribute, trying to stuff it with keywords, hoping to achieve a certain keyword density, which is not as relevant for rankings now since it once was.
On the other hand, high keyword density can, on some search engines like google, trigger spam filters, which might create a penalty for the site's ranking. Even without such a penalty, your site's rankings will not benefit from this tactic.
This method also puts persons who use screen readers at a greater disadvantage. Screen readers are software-based tools that really read aloud the contents of what's displayed on the screen. In browsing the web, the alt attributes of images are read aloud too.
Imagine listening to a paragraph of text that is followed by repetitions of numerous keywords. The page will be not even close to accessible, and, to put it bluntly, will be found quite annoying.
What exactly is an Alt attribute?
An ALT attribute shouldn't be used as a description or a label to have an image, though lots of people use it for the reason that fashion. Although it might seem natural to assume that alternate text is really a label or a description, it is not!
The words used within an image's alt attribute should be its text equivalent and convey exactly the same information or serve the same purpose that the image would.
The goal would be to provide the same functional information that the visual user would see. The alt attribute text should function as a "stand in" in the event that the look itself is not available. Think about this: Should you 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 a search button is really a magnifier or binoculars its alt text ought to be 'search' or 'find' not 'magnifying glass' or 'binoculars'.
If the image is supposed to convey the literal contents of the look, a description is appropriate.
If it's meant to convey data, then that data is what's appropriate.
If it is meant to convey using a function, then your function is what ought to be used.
Some Alt Attribute Guidelines:
Always add alt attributes to images. Alt is mandatory for accessibility and for valid XHTML.
For images that play only a decorative role in the page, use an empty alt (i.e. alt="") or perhaps a CSS background image to ensure that reading browsers don't bother users by uttering things like "spacer image".
Remember that it's the function from the image we're attempting to convey. For instance; any button images should not range from the word "button" within the alt text. They should emphasize the action performed through the button.
Alt text ought to be determined by context. The same image in a different context may need drastically different alt text.
Attempt to flow alt text with the rest of the text because that is how it is going to be read with adaptive technologies like screen readers. Someone listening to your page should hardly be aware that a graphic image can there be.
Please keep in mind that utilizing an alt attribute for every image is needed to satisfy the minimum WAI requirements, that are used since the benchmark for accessibility laws in UK and the rest of Europe. They are also required 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 things that serve no purpose other than to create a site visually appealing/attractive and (oftentimes) 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 is something there that will enhance the usability from the site for someone utilizing a non-visual user agent. Use a null alt attribute or background images in CSS for eye-candy.
II. Mood-Setting
This is actually the middle layer of graphics which might actually set the atmosphere or set the stage so to speak. These graphics aren't direct content and may not be considered essential, but they are essential in they help frame what is going on.
Attempt to alt-ify the second group as is sensible and it is relevant. There may be instances when doing so might be annoying or detrimental with other users. Then try to avoid it.
For example; Alt text that is just like 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 all users.
Most times this will depend on context. Exactly the same image inside a different context may require drastically different alt text. Obviously, content should always be fully available. The way you go in this case is really a judgment call.
III. Content and Function
This is where the look is the actual content. Always alt-ify content and functional images. Title and long description attributes may also be so as.
The reason many authors can't understand why their alt text isn't working is they don't know why the pictures are there. You need to figured out exactly what function an image serves. Consider what it is about the image that's vital that you the page's intended audience.
Every graphic includes a reason behind standing on that page: since it either enhances the theme/ mood/ atmosphere or it is critical to what the page is trying to describe. Knowing what the image is perfect for makes alt text easier to write. And practice writing them definitely helps.
A method to look into 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?
Besides the alt attribute you've got a couple more tools at your disposal for images.
First, in degree of descriptiveness title is in between alt and longdesc. It adds useful information and can add flavor. The title attribute is optionally rendered by the user agent. Remember they are invisible and not shown like a "tooltip" when focus is received through the keyboard. (So much for device independence). So make use of the title attribute just for advisory information.
Second, the longdesc attribute points to the Link to a complete description of an image. If the information contained in a picture is important to the meaning of the page (i.e. some important content would be lost when the image was removed), an extended description compared to "alt" attribute can reasonably display should be used. It can 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 an image. As Clark [1] states, "A longdesc is really a long description of the image...The aim is to use any length of description necessary 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 that 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.
In many cases, 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 do it, 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 the image and it is context on the page.
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 will be required and maybe a long description would be in order. Oftentimes 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 can use hyphens within 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 example, if the image internet search engine sees a ".jpg" (JPEG) file extension, it's going to assume that the file is a photo, and when it sees a ".gif" (GIF) file extension, it's likely to assume that it is a graphic;
Ensure that the text nearby the image that is relevant to that image.
Again, don't lose a great chance to help your site with your images in search engines. Use these steps to position better on all of the engines and drive more traffic for your site TODAY.
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