SEO Optimization images has become more and more essential 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 on your site:
Images:. Make use of the alt attribute to supply 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 begin to see the images.
Many webmasters and inexperienced or unethical SEOs abuse the use of this attribute, attempting to stuff it with keywords, looking 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 like google, trigger spam filters, which may result in a penalty for your site's ranking. Even without such a penalty, your site's rankings will not take advantage of 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's displayed on the screen. In browsing the web, the alt attributes of images are read aloud as well.
Imagine hearing a paragraph of text that is followed by repetitions of numerous keywords. The page will be not even close to accessible, and, to put it mildly, will be found quite annoying.
What exactly is an Alt attribute?
An ALT attribute should not be used like a description or a label for an image, though many people utilize it in that fashion. Though it may appear natural to assume that alternate text is really a label or perhaps a description, it's not!
What used inside an image's alt attribute should be its text equivalent and convey the same information or serve exactly the same purpose the image would.
The thing would be to supply the same functional information that a visual user would see. The alt attribute text should function as a "stand in" when the look itself is not available. Think about this: Should you replace the image with the text, would most users get the same basic information, and wouldn't it create the same response?
Some examples:
Some SEO Optimization Tips
If your search button is 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 items in the look, then a description is appropriate.
If it is designed to convey data, then that data is what's 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 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 don't bother users by uttering such things as "spacer image".
Keep in mind that it's the function of the image we're attempting to convey. For instance; any button images shouldn't include the word "button" in the alt text. They should emphasize the action performed through the button.
Alt text ought to be based on context. The same image inside a different context may need drastically different alt text.
Attempt to flow alt text with the rest 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 utilizing 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 the rest of Europe. Also, they are necessary to meet "Section 508" accessibility requirements in the US.
It is important 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 (oftentimes) satisfy the marketing departments. There isn't any content value (though there might 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. 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 serve to set the atmosphere or set happens so to speak. These graphics aren't direct content and may 't be considered essential, but they are essential in that they help frame what's going on.
Try to alt-ify the second group as is sensible and is relevant. There might be times when doing this may be annoying or detrimental with other users. Then avoid it.
For example; Alt text that is just like adjacent text is unnecessary, as well as an irritant to screen reader users. I suggest alt="" or background CSS images in such instances. But sometimes, it's vital that you get this content inside for all users.
Most times this will depend on context. The same image in 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 may be the actual content. Always alt-ify content and functional images. Title and long description attributes can also be so as.
The main reason many authors can't understand why their alt text isn't working is that they don't know why the images are there. You need to figured out exactly what function a picture serves. Consider 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: because it either improves the theme/ mood/ atmosphere or it is advisable to what are the page is trying to explain. Knowing what the look is perfect 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. What would you say when encountering a particular image to make the page understandable to the listener?
Besides the alt attribute you have a couple more tools at your disposal 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 by the user agent. Remember they're invisible and never shown like a "tooltip" when focus is received via the keyboard. (So much for device independence). So make use of the title attribute only for advisory information.
Second, the longdesc attribute points towards the Link to a complete description of an image. When the information found in an image is essential to the concept 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 provide for 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 really a long description of an image...The aim is by using any period of description necessary to impart the details from 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 holds true even for the totally blind."
Although the 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're better off 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 essential 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 great deal about the function of the image and it is 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 absolutely no content or functional information alt="" or background CSS images may 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. Oftentimes this type of thing is really a judgement call.
Image Search Engine Optimization Tips
Listed below are key stages 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. Stay away from underscores as 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 going to assume the file is a photo, and when it sees a ".gif" (GIF) file extension, it's likely to assume that it is graphic;
Ensure that the written text nearby the image that's relevant to that image.
Again, don't lose a great opportunity to help your site together with your images in search engines. Begin using these steps to rank better on all of the engines and drive more traffic for your site TODAY.
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