SEO Optimization images is becoming more and more important in SEO (Seo optimization) for websites. The ALT attribute is a critical step that is often overlooked. This is often a lost opportunity for better rankings.
In Google's webmaster guidelines, they advise the use of alternative text for that images in your site:
Images:. Use the alt attribute to supply descriptive text. Additionally, we recommend using a human-readable caption and descriptive text around the image.
Why would they ask us to do that? The answer is easy, really; search engines like google have the same problem as blind users. They can't begin to see the images.
Many webmasters and inexperienced or unethical SEOs abuse using this attribute, trying to stuff it with keywords, hoping to achieve a particular keyword density, which is not 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 result in a penalty for the site's ranking. Even without this type of penalty, your site's rankings will not benefit from this plan.
This process also puts persons who use screen readers at a greater disadvantage. Screen readers are software-based tools that really read aloud the contents of what's displayed on the screen. In browsing the net, the alt features of images are read aloud too.
Imagine hearing a paragraph of text which is then repetitions of many keywords. The page will be not even close to accessible, and, to put it mildly, would be found quite annoying.
What exactly is an Alt attribute?
An ALT attribute shouldn't be used like a description or perhaps a label to have an image, though many people utilize it for the reason that fashion. Though it might seem natural to assume that alternate text is really a label or a description, it is not!
The words used within an image's alt attribute should be its text equivalent and convey the same information or serve exactly the same purpose that the image would.
The thing is to provide the same functional information that the visual user would see. The alt attribute text should be the "stand in" in the event that the image is not available. Think about this: Should you replace the image with the text, would most users receive the same basic information, and wouldn't it generate 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 supposed to convey the literal contents of the look, then a description is suitable.
If it's designed to convey data, then that information is what's appropriate.
If it's designed to convey the use of a function, then the function itself is what should 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, make use of an empty alt (i.e. alt="") or perhaps a CSS background image to ensure that reading browsers do not bother users by uttering things like "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 range from 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 require drastically different alt text.
Attempt to flow alt text with the remainder from the text because that's the way it will be read with adaptive technologies like screen readers. Someone hearing your page should hardly be aware that a graphic image can there be.
Please remember that using an alt attribute for each image is needed to satisfy the minimum WAI requirements, that are used since 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 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 (in many cases) satisfy the marketing departments. There is no content value (though there may 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 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 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 are important in they help frame what's going on.
Try to alt-ify the 2nd group as makes sense and is relevant. There may be times when doing so might 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 instances. But sometimes, it's vital that you understand this content inside for all users.
Usually this will depend on context. Exactly the same image inside a different context may need drastically different alt text. Obviously, content ought to always be fully available. How you go in this case is a judgment call.
III. Content and Function
This is where the look 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 exist. You need to figured out precisely what function an image serves. Consider what it is about the image that's important to the page's intended audience.
Every graphic has a reason for being on that page: because it either enhances the theme/ mood/ atmosphere or it is advisable to what the page is trying to describe. Understanding what the look is perfect for makes alt text simpler to write. And exercise writing them definitely helps.
A way 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?
Besides the alt attribute you've got a couple more tools available for images.
First, in level 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 not shown as a "tooltip" when focus is received through the keyboard. (So much for device independence). So make use of the title attribute only for advisory information.
Second, the longdesc attribute points to the Link to a complete description of the image. If the information found in an image 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 may 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 goal is by using any length of description essential to impart the facts of the graphic.
It wouldn't be remiss to hope that a long description conjures a picture - the look - within the mind's eye, an analogy that is true even for the totally blind."
Even though alt attribute is mandatory for web accessibility as well as for valid (X)HTML, not every images need alternative text, long descriptions, or titles.
In many cases, you are best just choosing your gut instinct -- if it's not necessary to incorporate it, and when you don't have a strong urge to do it, don't include 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 on the function of the image and it is context about the page.
The same image may require alt text (or title or longdesc) in one spot, but not in another. If an image provides simply no content or functional information alt="" or background CSS images might be appropriate to use. However, if the image provides content or adds functional information an alt would be required and maybe a long description will be so as. 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 in 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, if the image internet search engine sees a ".jpg" (JPEG) file extension, it's likely to assume that the file is a photo, and when 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's relevant to that image.
Again, don't lose a great opportunity to help your website with your images searching engines. Use these steps to position better on all the engines and drive increased traffic to your site TODAY.
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