SEO Optimization images has become more and more important in SEO (Seo optimization) for websites. The ALT attribute is a critical step that is sometimes forgotten. This can be a lost chance of better rankings.
In Google's webmaster guidelines, they advise using alternative text for the 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 simple, really; search engines like google have the same problem as blind users. They cannot 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 particular keyword density, which is not as relevant for rankings now since it was previously.
On the other hand, high keyword density can, on some search engines, trigger spam filters, which might create a penalty for your site's ranking. Even without such a penalty, your site's rankings won't benefit from 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 shown on the screen. In browsing the web, the alt attributes of images are read aloud too.
Imagine listening to a paragraph of text which is then repetitions of numerous keywords. The page would be far from accessible, and, to put it bluntly, will be found quite annoying.
What is an Alt attribute?
An ALT attribute should not be used like a description or perhaps a label for an image, though lots of people utilize it in that fashion. Though it may appear natural to assume that alternate text is 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 the image would.
The goal would be to provide the same functional information that the visual user would see. The alt attribute text should function as a "stand in" in the event that the look itself is not available. Ask yourself this question: Should you replace the image using the text, would most users receive the same basic information, and would it create the same response?
Some examples:
Some SEO Optimization Tips
If your search button is really a magnifier or binoculars its alt text ought to be 'search' or 'find' not 'magnifying glass' or 'binoculars'.
If an image is supposed to convey the literal items in the image, then a description is appropriate.
If it's meant 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 only a decorative role within the page, make use of an empty alt (i.e. alt="") or a CSS background image to ensure that reading browsers don't bother users by uttering things like "spacer image".
Remember that it's the function from the image we're attempting to convey. For instance; any button images shouldn't range from the word "button" in the alt text. They ought to emphasize the action performed through the button.
Alt text should be based on context. Exactly the same image in a different context may require drastically different alt text.
Attempt to flow alt text with the remainder from 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 can there be.
Please keep in mind that using an alt attribute for every image is needed to satisfy the minimum WAI requirements, which are used as the benchmark for accessibility laws in UK and the remainder of Europe. Also, they are 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 stuff that serve no purpose other than 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 a sighted user).
Never alt-ify eye-candy unless there's something there which will enhance the usability from 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 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 essential in that they help frame what's going on.
Try to alt-ify the second group as is sensible and is relevant. There may be times when doing so might be annoying or detrimental to other users. Then avoid it.
For instance; Alt text that's identical to adjacent text is unnecessary, as well as an irritant to screen reader users. I recommend alt="" or background CSS images in such instances. But sometimes, it's important to understand this content in there for all users.
Usually it depends on context. Exactly the same image inside a different context may require drastically different alt text. Obviously, content should always be fully available. The way you go in this case is really 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 can also be in order.
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 determined precisely what function an image serves. Consider what it's concerning the image that's vital that you the page's intended audience.
Every graphic has a reason for standing on that page: since it either enhances the theme/ mood/ atmosphere or it is critical 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 method to look into the usefulness of alternative text would be to imagine reading the page over the telephone to someone. What would you say when encountering a particular image to create the page understandable to the listener?
Aside from the alt attribute you've got 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 through the user agent. Remember they're invisible and never shown as a "tooltip" when focus is received through the keyboard. (So much for device independence). So make use of the title attribute just for advisory information.
Second, the longdesc attribute points to the URL of a complete description of the image. If the information found in an image is essential towards the meaning of the page (i.e. some important content will be lost when the image was removed), a longer description than the "alt" attribute can reasonably display ought to be used. It may provide for rich, expressive documentation of the 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 a long description of an 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 look - within the mind's eye, an analogy that holds true even for that totally blind."
Even though alt attribute is mandatory for web accessibility and for valid (X)HTML, not every images need alternative text, long descriptions, or titles.
In many cases, you are best just going with your gut instinct -- if it's not essential to include it, and when you don't possess a strong urge to get it done, don't include that longdesc.
However, if it's necessary for the entire 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 your image and it is context on the page.
The same image may require alt text (or title or longdesc) in one spot, although not in another. If the image provides absolutely no content or functional information alt="" or background CSS images might be appropriate to use. But if the image provides content or adds functional information an alt would be required and maybe even 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 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, such as "brilliant-diamonds.jpg";
Label the file extension. For example, if the image search engine sees a ".jpg" (JPEG) file extension, it's likely to assume the file is really 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 text at the image that's relevant to that image.
Again, do not lose a great chance to help your site with your images in search engines. Use these steps to rank better on all of the engines and drive more traffic to your site TODAY.
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