SEO Optimization images is becoming more and more essential 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 that images on your site:
Images:. Make use of the alt attribute to provide descriptive text. In addition, we recommend utilizing 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 the same problem as blind users. They can't 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 is not as relevant for rankings now as 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 this type of penalty, your site's rankings won't take advantage of this tactic.
This process also puts persons who use screen readers at a greater disadvantage. Screen readers are software-based tools that really read aloud the items in what is 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 followed by repetitions of many keywords. The page will be not even close to accessible, and, to put it bluntly, will be found quite annoying.
What is an Alt attribute?
An ALT attribute should not be used as a description or perhaps a label for an image, though many people use it for the reason that fashion. Though it may appear natural to assume that alternate text is a label or perhaps a description, it is not!
The words used inside an image's alt attribute should be its text equivalent and convey the same information or serve the same purpose that the image would.
The goal would be to supply the same functional information that a visual user would see. The alt attribute text should function as a "stand in" when the image itself is unavailable. Think about this question: If you were to replace the image 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 really a magnifying glass or binoculars its alt text should be 'search' or 'find' not 'magnifying glass' or 'binoculars'.
If the image is meant to convey the literal contents of the look, a description is suitable.
If it's meant to convey data, then that information is what's appropriate.
If it is meant 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 and for valid XHTML.
For images that play merely a decorative role in 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 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 by the button.
Alt text ought to be based on context. The same image inside a different context may require drastically different alt text.
Attempt to flow alt text with the remainder from the text because that is how it will be read with adaptive technologies like screen readers. Someone listening to your page should hardly remember that a graphic image is there.
Please keep in mind that using an alt attribute for each image is required to satisfy the minimum WAI requirements, which are used as the benchmark for accessibility laws in UK and the rest of Europe. Also, they are necessary to meet "Section 508" accessibility requirements in america.
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 apart from to make a site visually appealing/attractive and (oftentimes) satisfy the marketing departments. There is no content value (though there might be value to some sighted user).
Never alt-ify eye-candy unless there's something there which will boost the usability from the site for somebody 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 actually the middle layer of graphics which may serve to set the mood or set happens so to speak. These graphics are not direct content and could not be considered essential, but they're essential in 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 this may be annoying or detrimental to other users. Then avoid it.
For instance; Alt text that's identical to adjacent text is unnecessary, as well as an irritant to screen reader users. I recommend alt="" or background CSS images in such cases. But sometimes, it's important to get this content in there for those users.
Usually this will depend on context. The same image inside a different context may require drastically different alt text. Obviously, content ought to always be fully available. The way you use this case is 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 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 precisely 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 being on that page: since it either improves the theme/ mood/ atmosphere or it is advisable to what the page is trying to describe. Knowing what the image is perfect for makes alt text simpler to write. And exercise writing them definitely helps.
A method to check 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 have a couple more tools available for images.
First, in degree of descriptiveness title is in between alt and longdesc. It adds useful information and may add flavor. The title attribute is optionally rendered through the user agent. Remember they are invisible and not shown as a "tooltip" when focus is received through the keyboard. (A lot for device independence). So make use of the title attribute only for advisory information.
Second, the longdesc attribute points towards the URL of a full description of the image. If the information contained in an image is essential to 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 ought to be used. It may provide for rich, expressive documentation of the visual image.
It should 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 period of description necessary to impart the details from the graphic.
It would not be remiss to hope that a long description conjures a picture - the look - within the mind's eye, an analogy that holds true even for that totally blind."
Although the 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 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 get it done, don't add that longdesc.
However, if it's necessary for the entire page to work, then you've to include the alt text (or title or longdesc).
What's necessary and what's not depends a lot about the function of the 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 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 would be required and maybe a long description will be in order. In many cases this kind of thing is really a judgement call.
Image Search Engine Optimization Tips
Listed below are key stages in optimizing images:
Choose 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 likely to assume the file is a photo, and when it sees a ".gif" (GIF) file extension, it's going to assume that it is a graphic;
Make sure that the written text nearby the image that is relevant to that image.
Again, do not lose a great chance to help your site together with your images in search engines. Use these steps to rank better on all of the engines and drive more traffic to your site TODAY.
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