SEO Optimization images has become more and more essential in SEO (Search Engine Optimization) for websites. The ALT attribute is really a critical step that is sometimes forgotten. This is often a lost chance of better rankings.
In Google's webmaster guidelines, they advise using alternative text for that images on your site:
Images:. Use 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 do that? The answer is easy, really; search engines like google have a similar problem as blind users. They can't begin to see the images.
Many webmasters and inexperienced or unethical SEOs abuse the use of this attribute, trying to stuff it with keywords, hoping 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 result in a penalty for the site's ranking. Even without this type of penalty, your site's rankings won't take advantage of this plan.
This method also puts persons who use screen readers in a greater disadvantage. Screen readers are software-based tools that really read aloud the contents of what is shown on the screen. In browsing the net, the alt features of images are read aloud too.
Imagine listening to a paragraph of text that 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 shouldn't be used as a description or perhaps a label for an image, though lots of people use it for the reason that fashion. Although it might seem 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 ought to be its text equivalent and convey the same information or serve exactly the same purpose that the image would.
The goal is to supply the same functional information that a visual user would see. The alt attribute text should be the "stand in" when the image itself is unavailable. Ask yourself this: Should you replace the look using the text, would most users receive the same basic information, and would it generate the same response?
A few examples:
Some SEO Optimization Tips
If a 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 supposed to convey the literal items in the image, a description is suitable.
If it's meant to convey data, then that information is what is appropriate.
If it is 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 and for valid XHTML.
For images that play merely a decorative role within the page, make use of 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's 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. The same image inside a different context may need drastically different alt text.
Try to flow alt text with the remainder of the text because that is the way it is going to be read with adaptive technologies like screen readers. Someone hearing your page should hardly remember that a graphic image can there be.
Please remember that using an alt attribute for every image is needed to satisfy the minimum WAI requirements, that are used as the benchmark for accessibility laws in UK and also the remainder 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 (in many cases) 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 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 might actually set the mood or set the stage as it were. These graphics aren't 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 second group as is sensible and it is relevant. There may be times when doing this may be annoying or detrimental with other users. Then avoid it.
For instance; Alt text that is identical to adjacent text is unnecessary, as well as 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 inside for those users.
Most times it depends on context. Exactly the same image in a different context may need drastically different alt text. Obviously, content should always be fully available. How you go in this example is a judgment call.
III. Content and Function
This is when the image is the actual content. Always alt-ify content and functional images. Title and long description attributes can also be so as.
The reason many authors can't figure out why their alt text isn't working is that they don't know why the pictures are there. You have to figured out exactly what function an image serves. Think about what it's concerning 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 are the page is trying to describe. Knowing what the image is perfect for makes alt text simpler to write. And practice writing them definitely helps.
A method to look into the usefulness of alternative text is to imagine reading the page on the phone to someone. What would you say when encountering a specific image to make the page understandable towards the listener?
Aside from the alt attribute you have a couple more tools available 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're invisible and not shown like a "tooltip" when focus is received via the keyboard. (So much for device independence). So make use of the title attribute just for advisory information.
Second, the longdesc attribute points towards the URL of a full description of the image. If the information found in an image is important towards the concept of the page (i.e. some important content will be lost when the image was removed), an extended description than the "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 the image. As Clark [1] states, "A longdesc is a long description of the image...The aim is by using any length of description necessary to impart the facts of the graphic.
It wouldn't be remiss to hope that the long description conjures an image - the look - in the mind's eye, an analogy that is true even for that totally blind."
Although the alt attribute is mandatory for web accessibility and for valid (X)HTML, not all images need alternative text, long descriptions, or titles.
In many cases, you are best just going with your gut instinct -- if it's not essential to incorporate it, and if you don't have a strong urge to do it, don't add that longdesc.
However, if it's necessary for the entire page to operate, then you've to include the alt text (or title or longdesc).
What's necessary and what's not depends a lot on the function of your image and it is context about 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 might be appropriate to make use of. But if the image provides content or adds functional information an alt will be required and maybe even a long description will be so as. Oftentimes this type 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 can 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 instance, when the image internet search engine sees a ".jpg" (JPEG) file extension, it's going to assume that the file is really a photo, and if it sees a ".gif" (GIF) file extension, it's likely to assume that it is a graphic;
Ensure that the written text at the image that is relevant to that image.
Again, do not lose a great opportunity to help your website with your images in search engines. Use these steps to position better on all the engines and drive more traffic to your site TODAY.
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