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 chance of better rankings.
In Google's webmaster guidelines, they advise the use of alternative text for that images on your web 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 do that? The answer is simple, really; search engines have a similar problem as blind users. They cannot see the images.
Many webmasters and inexperienced or unethical SEOs abuse using this attribute, attempting to stuff it with keywords, hoping to achieve a particular keyword density, which is not as relevant for rankings now since it was previously.
On the contrary, high keyword density can, on some search engines like google, trigger spam filters, which might create a penalty for your site's ranking. Even without such a penalty, your site's rankings will not take advantage of this tactic.
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 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 will be far from accessible, and, to put it mildly, will be found quite annoying.
What is an Alt attribute?
An ALT attribute shouldn't be used like a description or a label for an image, though lots of people utilize it in that fashion. Though it might seem natural to assume that alternate text is a label or perhaps a description, it's 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 thing 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 is not available. Ask yourself this question: Should you replace the image with the text, would most users receive the same basic information, and wouldn't it create the same response?
Some examples:
Some SEO Optimization Tips
If your search button is really a magnifier 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 designed to convey data, then that information is what is appropriate.
If it is meant to convey using 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 within the page, use an empty alt (i.e. alt="") or perhaps a CSS background image so 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 attempting to convey. For instance; 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 in a different context may require drastically different alt text.
Try 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 listening to your page should hardly remember that a graphic image is there.
Please remember that using an alt attribute for every image is needed to meet the minimum WAI requirements, that are used as the benchmark for accessibility laws in UK and also the rest of Europe. Also, they are necessary to meet "Section 508" accessibility requirements in the US.
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 other than to create a site visually appealing/attractive and (oftentimes) fulfill 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 which will boost the usability of 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 atmosphere or set the stage as it were. These graphics are not direct content and could 't be considered essential, but they're essential in they help frame what is going on.
Attempt to alt-ify the second group as makes sense and is relevant. There may be times when doing this might be annoying or detrimental to other users. Then avoid it.
For example; 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 all users.
Most times this will depend on context. The same image inside a different context may need drastically different alt text. Obviously, content should always be fully available. How you use this case 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 they don't know why the pictures exist. You have to figured out exactly what function an image serves. Consider what it is concerning the image that's important to the page's intended audience.
Every graphic includes a reason for being on that page: because it either improves the theme/ mood/ atmosphere or it is advisable to what are the page is attempting to describe. Understanding 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 would be to imagine reading the page on the phone to someone. An amount you say when encountering a specific image to create 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 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 use the title attribute only for advisory information.
Second, the longdesc attribute points to the URL of a complete description of an image. If the information found in a picture is essential towards the meaning 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 should be used. It may offer 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 an image...The goal is by using any length of description necessary to impart the facts of the graphic.
It wouldn't be remiss to hope that a long description conjures a picture - the look - in the mind's eye, an analogy that holds true even for the totally blind."
Even though alt attribute is mandatory for web accessibility as well as for valid (X)HTML, not all images need alternative text, long descriptions, or titles.
In many cases, you're 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 whole page to work, then you have 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.
Exactly the same image may need alt text (or title or longdesc) in a single spot, although not in another. If the image provides absolutely 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 would be required and maybe a long description will be so as. Oftentimes this type of thing is a judgement call.
Image Seo optimization Tips
Listed here are key steps in optimizing images:
Select 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 as a word separator, like for example "brilliant-diamonds.jpg";
Label the file extension. For instance, if the image search engine sees a ".jpg" (JPEG) file extension, it's likely to assume that the file is really a photo, and when it sees a ".gif" (GIF) file extension, it's going to assume that it is a graphic;
Ensure that the written text nearby the image that's relevant to that image.
Again, do not lose a great chance to help your site together with your images searching engines. Begin using these steps to rank better on all the engines and drive more traffic for your site TODAY.
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