SEO Optimization images is becoming more and more important in SEO (Seo optimization) for websites. The ALT attribute is really a critical step that is often overlooked. This can be a lost opportunity for better rankings.
In Google's webmaster guidelines, they advise using alternative text for that images in your web 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 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, hoping to achieve a certain 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, trigger spam filters, which might result in a penalty for the site's ranking. Even without such a penalty, your site's rankings won't take advantage of this plan.
This process 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 displayed on the screen. In browsing the web, the alt features of images are read aloud as well.
Imagine hearing a paragraph of text that is followed by repetitions of numerous 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 a label for an image, though lots of people use it for the reason that fashion. Although it may appear natural to assume that alternate text is really 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 exactly 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 be the "stand in" in the event that the look itself is not available. Think about this question: If you were to replace the image with the text, would most users get the same basic information, and wouldn't it generate the same response?
Some 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 an image is supposed to convey the literal contents of the image, a description is appropriate.
If it is designed to convey data, then that information is what is appropriate.
If it is designed to convey using a function, then your 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 merely a decorative role in the page, use an empty alt (i.e. alt="") or a CSS background image to ensure that reading browsers do not bother users by uttering such things as "spacer image".
Remember that it's the function from the image we're trying to convey. For instance; any button images should not range from the word "button" within the alt text. They ought to emphasize the action performed by the button.
Alt text should 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 of the text because that's the way 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 is there.
Please remember that using an alt attribute for every image is required to meet the minimum WAI requirements, which are used as 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 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 make a site visually appealing/attractive and (in many cases) satisfy the marketing departments. There isn't any content value (though there may be value to some sighted user).
Never alt-ify eye-candy unless there's something there that will boost the usability from the site for someone using 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 are not direct content and may not be considered essential, but they're essential in they help frame what's going on.
Attempt to alt-ify the second group as makes sense and it is relevant. There might be instances when doing so might be annoying or detrimental with other users. Then try to avoid it.
For instance; Alt text that is identical to adjacent text is unnecessary, and an irritant to screen reader users. I suggest alt="" or background CSS images in such instances. But sometimes, it's vital that you understand this content in there 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 ought to always be fully available. The way you go in 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 may also be so as.
The main reason many authors can't figure out why their alt text isn't working is that they don't know why the pictures exist. You need to determined precisely what function an image serves. Consider what it's concerning the image that's important to the page's intended audience.
Every graphic includes a reason behind standing on that page: because it either enhances the theme/ mood/ atmosphere or it is critical to what the page is trying to explain. Knowing what the image is for makes alt text easier to write. And practice writing them definitely helps.
A way 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 make the page understandable towards the listener?
Aside from the alt attribute you've got a couple more tools available for images.
First, in level of descriptiveness title is in between alt and longdesc. It adds useful information and can add flavor. The title attribute is optionally rendered through the user agent. Remember they are invisible and never shown like a "tooltip" when focus is received via the keyboard. (A lot for device independence). So use the title attribute only 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 concept of the page (i.e. some important content will be lost if the image was removed), an extended description compared to "alt" attribute can reasonably display ought to be used. It can provide for rich, expressive documentation of a 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 an image...The goal is to use any period 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 image - within 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 every images need alternative text, long descriptions, or titles.
Oftentimes, you're best just going with your gut instinct -- if it's not essential to incorporate it, and if you don't possess 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 lot about the function of your image and its context about the page.
The same image may require alt text (or title or longdesc) in a single spot, although not in another. If an image provides simply 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 perhaps even a long description will be in order. In many cases this type of thing is really a judgement call.
Image Search Engine Optimization Tips
Listed below are key steps in optimizing images:
Choose a logical file name that reinforces the keywords. You can use hyphens in the file name to isolate the keyword, but avoid to exceeding two hyphens. Avoid using underscores like a word separator, like for example "brilliant-diamonds.jpg";
Label the file extension. For instance, when the image 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 graphic;
Make sure that the written text at the image that is highly relevant to that image.
Again, do not lose an excellent chance to help your website with your images in search engines. Use these steps to position better on all the engines and drive increased traffic for your site TODAY.
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