SEO Optimization images is becoming more and more important in SEO (Search Engine Optimization) for websites. The ALT attribute is a critical step that is sometimes forgotten. This can be 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:. Make use of the alt attribute to supply descriptive text. In addition, we recommend using 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 cannot begin to see the images.
Many webmasters and inexperienced or unethical SEOs abuse using this attribute, attempting to stuff it with keywords, hoping to achieve a certain keyword density, which is not as relevant for rankings now as it was previously.
On the other hand, high keyword density can, on some search engines, 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 benefit from this tactic.
This process also puts persons who use screen readers in a greater disadvantage. Screen readers are software-based tools that really read aloud the items in 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 many keywords. The page would be far from accessible, and, to put it bluntly, would be found quite annoying.
What exactly is an Alt attribute?
An ALT attribute should not be used as 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 a description, it's not!
The words used within an image's alt attribute should be its text equivalent and convey exactly 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 be the "stand in" when the look itself is not available. Ask yourself this question: Should you replace the image with the text, would most users get the same basic information, and would it create the same response?
A few examples:
Some SEO Optimization Tips
If your search button is really a magnifying glass or binoculars its alt text ought to be 'search' or 'find' not 'magnifying glass' or 'binoculars'.
If the image is meant to convey the literal contents of the look, then a description is appropriate.
If it is meant to convey data, then that information is what's appropriate.
If it is meant to convey the use of a function, then your 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 in the page, use an empty alt (i.e. alt="") or a CSS background image so that reading browsers don't bother users by uttering things like "spacer image".
Keep in mind that it is the function of the image we're attempting to convey. For instance; any button images should not range from the word "button" in the alt text. They ought to emphasize the action performed through the button.
Alt text ought to be determined by context. Exactly the same image inside a different context may need drastically different alt text.
Attempt to flow alt text with the remainder of the text because that's how it will be read with adaptive technologies like screen readers. Someone hearing your page should hardly remember that a graphic image is there.
Please keep in mind that utilizing an alt attribute for each image is required to satisfy the minimum WAI requirements, that are used as the benchmark for accessibility laws in UK and the remainder of Europe. They are also required 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 things that serve no purpose apart from to create a site visually appealing/attractive and (in many cases) fulfill 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 is something there that will enhance 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 actually set the atmosphere or set the stage so to speak. These graphics are not direct content and could 't be considered essential, but they are essential in that they help frame what's going on.
Try to alt-ify the 2nd group as is sensible and it is relevant. There may be instances when doing this might be annoying or detrimental with other users. Then avoid it.
For instance; Alt text that's 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 important to understand this content inside for all users.
Usually it depends on context. Exactly the same image inside 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 look is the actual content. Always alt-ify content and functional images. Title and long description attributes may also be in order.
The main 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 precisely what function a picture 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: since it either enhances the theme/ mood/ atmosphere or it is advisable to what are the page is attempting to explain. Understanding what the look is perfect for makes alt text easier to write. And exercise writing them definitely helps.
A way to look into 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?
Aside from the alt attribute you have a couple more tools available for images.
First, in level 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 not shown like 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 URL of a full description of the image. When the information found in an image is essential to the meaning of the page (i.e. some important content would be lost if the image was removed), an extended description compared to "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 really a long description of the image...The goal is by using any period of description necessary to impart the details of the graphic.
It wouldn't be remiss to hope that the long description conjures an image - the image - in 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 all images need alternative text, long descriptions, or titles.
Oftentimes, you are better off 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 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 it is context about the page.
Exactly the same image may require alt text (or title or longdesc) in one 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. But if the image provides content or adds functional information an alt will be required and perhaps a long description would be in order. Oftentimes this kind of thing is a judgement call.
Image Seo optimization Tips
Listed here are key steps 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. Stay away from underscores as 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 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 a graphic;
Ensure that the text at the image that is relevant to that image.
Again, don't lose an excellent opportunity to help your website with your images searching engines. Use these steps to rank better on all the engines and drive increased traffic to your site TODAY.
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