SEO Optimization images has become more and more important in SEO (Search Engine 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 using alternative text for the images on your web site:
Images:. Use the alt attribute to provide descriptive text. In addition, 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 like google have a similar problem as blind users. They cannot begin to see the images.
Many webmasters and inexperienced or unethical SEOs abuse the use of this attribute, trying to stuff it with keywords, looking to achieve a particular keyword density, which is not as relevant for rankings now as it once was.
On the contrary, 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 in a greater disadvantage. Screen readers are software-based tools that actually read aloud the contents of what's shown on the screen. In browsing the net, the alt attributes of images are read aloud as well.
Imagine hearing a paragraph of text that is then repetitions of numerous keywords. The page would be far from accessible, and, to put it mildly, will be found quite annoying.
What is an Alt attribute?
An ALT attribute should not be used like a description or perhaps a label for an image, though lots of people use it for the reason that fashion. Though it might seem natural to assume that alternate text is really a label or perhaps a description, it is not!
The words used within an image's alt attribute ought to 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" when the image itself is unavailable. Think about this question: Should you replace the image with the text, would most users get the same basic information, and would it create the same response?
A few examples:
Some SEO Optimization Tips
If your search button is really 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 image, then a description is suitable.
If it is meant to convey data, then that information is what is appropriate.
If it's meant to convey the use of a function, then the function itself is what ought to 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 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 such things as "spacer image".
Keep in mind that it is the function from the image we are trying to convey. For example; any button images should not include the word "button" in the alt text. They should emphasize the action performed through the button.
Alt text should 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 rest from the text because that is how 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 keep in mind that utilizing an alt attribute for every image is required to meet the minimum WAI requirements, that are used since the benchmark for accessibility laws in UK and also 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 create a site visually appealing/attractive and (in many cases) fulfill the marketing departments. There is no content value (though there may be value to a sighted user).
Never alt-ify eye-candy unless there's something there which will enhance the usability from the site for someone using 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 actually set the atmosphere or set happens as it were. These graphics are not direct content and may 't be considered essential, but they are 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 may be instances when doing so might be annoying or detrimental to other users. Then avoid it.
For example; Alt text that's just like adjacent text is unnecessary, as well as an irritant to screen reader users. I recommend alt="" or background CSS images in such instances. But sometimes, it's important to understand this content in there for all users.
Most times this will depend on context. Exactly the same image in a different context may require drastically different alt text. Obviously, content should always be fully available. How you go in this case is really a judgment call.
III. Content and Function
This is where 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 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 have to determined exactly what function an image serves. Think about what it is 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 critical to what the page is trying to describe. Understanding what the image is for makes alt text simpler to write. And practice writing them definitely helps.
A method to check the usefulness of alternative text would be to imagine reading the page over the telephone to someone. An amount you say when encountering a specific image to create the page understandable to the listener?
Aside from the alt attribute you've got a couple more tools at your disposal for images.
First, in degree of descriptiveness title is within between alt and longdesc. It adds useful information and may add flavor. The title attribute is optionally rendered by the user agent. Remember they are invisible and never shown like a "tooltip" when focus is received through the keyboard. (So much for device independence). So use the title attribute just for advisory information.
Second, the longdesc attribute points towards the URL of a complete description of an image. If the information contained in an image is important to the meaning of the page (i.e. some important content will 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 the image. As Clark [1] states, "A longdesc is a long description of an image...The aim is to use any period of description necessary to impart the details of the graphic.
It wouldn't be remiss to hope that a long description conjures a picture - the image - in 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 all images need alternative text, long descriptions, or titles.
Oftentimes, you're better off just choosing your gut instinct -- if it's not essential to incorporate it, and when you don't have a strong urge to get it done, don't include that longdesc.
However, if it's essential for the whole page to work, then you've to include the alt text (or title or longdesc).
What's necessary and what's not depends a great deal on the function of the image and it is context about the page.
Exactly the same image may require alt text (or title or longdesc) in one spot, but not in another. If an image provides absolutely no content or functional information alt="" or background CSS images might be appropriate to make use of. However, if the image provides content or adds functional information an alt will be required and maybe even a long description will be so as. In many cases this kind of thing is a judgement call.
Image Seo optimization Tips
Listed below are key stages in optimizing images:
Select a logical file name that reinforces the keywords. You should use hyphens within the file name to isolate the keyword, but avoid to exceeding two hyphens. Avoid using underscores as a word separator, like for example "brilliant-diamonds.jpg";
Label the file extension. For example, when the image search engine sees a ".jpg" (JPEG) file extension, it's going to assume that the file is a photo, and if it sees a ".gif" (GIF) file extension, it's likely to assume that it is graphic;
Ensure that the text nearby the image that is highly relevant to that image.
Again, don't lose an excellent opportunity to help your site together with your images searching engines. Use these steps to rank better on all of the engines and drive increased traffic to your site TODAY.
