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 using alternative text for the images in your web site:
Images:. Make use of 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 do that? The answer is easy, 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, attempting to stuff it with keywords, looking to achieve a particular keyword density, which isn't as relevant for rankings now since it once was.
On the other hand, high keyword density can, on some search engines, trigger spam filters, which might create a penalty for your site's ranking. Even without such a penalty, your site's rankings will not benefit from this tactic.
This process also puts persons who use screen readers at a greater disadvantage. Screen readers are software-based tools that actually read aloud the contents of what is displayed on the screen. In browsing the net, the alt attributes of images are read aloud as well.
Imagine hearing a paragraph of text which is followed by repetitions of many keywords. The page would be far from accessible, and, to put it bluntly, will be found quite annoying.
What is an Alt attribute?
An ALT attribute shouldn't be used as a description or perhaps a label to have an image, though many people utilize it in that fashion. Although it may appear natural to assume that alternate text is really a label or perhaps a description, it is not!
What used within an image's alt attribute ought to be its text equivalent and convey the same information or serve the same purpose that the image would.
The thing would be to provide the same functional information that a visual user would see. The alt attribute text should function as a "stand in" in the event that the image itself is not available. Think about this question: Should you replace the image using 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 magnifying glass 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 contents of the image, then 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 the 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 a CSS background image so that reading browsers don't bother users by uttering things like "spacer image".
Keep in mind that it's the function from the image we're trying to convey. For example; any button images shouldn't include the word "button" within the alt text. They ought to emphasize the action performed by the button.
Alt text ought to be based on context. The same image in a different context may require drastically different alt text.
Attempt to flow alt text with the remainder of the text because that's 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 remember that utilizing an alt attribute for each image is needed to meet the minimum WAI requirements, which are used since the benchmark for accessibility laws in UK and also the rest of Europe. They are also 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 apart from to make a site visually appealing/attractive and (oftentimes) fulfill the marketing departments. There is no content value (though there might 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 might serve to set the mood or set happens so to speak. These graphics aren't direct content and could not be considered essential, but they're essential in that they help frame what's going on.
Try to alt-ify the 2nd group as is sensible and is relevant. There may be times when doing so may be annoying or detrimental to 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 suggest alt="" or background CSS images in such cases. But sometimes, it's vital that you get this content in there for all users.
Most times 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. How you use 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 main reason many authors can't figure out why their alt text isn't working is that they don't know why the images exist. You have to figured out precisely what function an image serves. Consider what it's about the image that's vital that you the page's intended audience.
Every graphic has a reason behind standing on that page: since it either enhances the theme/ mood/ atmosphere or it is advisable to what the page is trying to explain. 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 specific image to make the page understandable to the listener?
Besides the alt attribute you've got a couple more tools available 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're 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 just for advisory information.
Second, the longdesc attribute points to the URL of a full description of the image. If the information found in a picture is essential to the meaning of the page (i.e. some important content would be lost when the image was removed), a longer description compared to "alt" attribute can reasonably display ought to be used. It can offer rich, expressive documentation of a 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 really a long description of an image...The aim is to use any length of description essential to impart the facts of the graphic.
It would not be remiss to hope that a long description conjures an image - the image - in the mind's eye, an analogy that is true even for that totally blind."
Even though alt attribute is mandatory for web accessibility and for valid (X)HTML, not all images need alternative text, long descriptions, or titles.
Oftentimes, you're best just choosing your gut instinct -- if it's not necessary 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 entire page to work, 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 your image and its context on the page.
The same image may need alt text (or title or longdesc) in a single spot, but not in another. If the image provides simply no content or functional information alt="" or background CSS images may be appropriate to use. However, if the image provides content or adds functional information an alt will be required and perhaps a long description will be so as. In many cases this kind of thing is really 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 like a word separator, such as "brilliant-diamonds.jpg";
Label the file extension. For example, when the image internet search engine sees a ".jpg" (JPEG) file extension, it's likely to assume the file is a photo, and if it sees a ".gif" (GIF) file extension, it's likely to assume that it is a graphic;
Make sure that the written text nearby 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. Use these steps to position better on all of the engines and drive more traffic to your site TODAY.
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