SEO Optimization images has become more and more essential in SEO (Seo optimization) for websites. The ALT attribute is really a critical step that is sometimes forgotten. This can be a lost opportunity for better rankings.
In Google's webmaster guidelines, they advise using alternative text for that images on your web site:
Images:. Use the alt attribute to provide descriptive text. In addition, we recommend using a human-readable caption and descriptive text round the image.
Why would they ask us to achieve that? The answer is easy, really; search engines like google have a similar problem as blind users. They can't see the images.
Many webmasters and inexperienced or unethical SEOs abuse using this attribute, attempting to stuff it with keywords, looking to achieve a certain 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 like google, trigger spam filters, which may result in a penalty for the site's ranking. Even without this type of 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 items in what's displayed on the screen. In browsing the net, the alt attributes of images are read aloud as well.
Imagine hearing a paragraph of text that 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 a label for an image, though lots of people use it for the reason that fashion. Although it may appear natural to assume that alternate text is really a label or perhaps a description, it is not!
What 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 is to provide the same functional information that the visual user would see. The alt attribute text should be the "stand in" when the image itself is not available. Think about this question: If you were to replace the look using the text, would most users get the same basic information, and would it generate the same response?
Some examples:
Some SEO Optimization Tips
If a search button is really 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 image, then a description is appropriate.
If it's meant to convey data, then that data is what is appropriate.
If it's designed 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 to ensure that reading browsers do not bother users by uttering things like "spacer image".
Remember 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 by the button.
Alt text should be based on context. Exactly the same image in a different context may require drastically different alt text.
Try 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 remember that a graphic image is there.
Please keep in mind that utilizing an alt attribute for each image is required to meet the minimum WAI requirements, which are used as the benchmark for accessibility laws in UK and also the rest of Europe. They are also 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 things that serve no purpose apart from to create a site visually appealing/attractive and (oftentimes) satisfy the marketing departments. There isn't any content value (though there may be value to a sighted user).
Never alt-ify eye-candy unless there is something there that will boost the usability from the site for somebody utilizing 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 might actually set the atmosphere or set the stage as it were. These graphics aren't direct content and could 't be considered essential, but they are important in that they help frame what is going on.
Attempt 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 to other users. Then avoid it.
For instance; Alt text that is 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 vital that you get this content inside for all users.
Usually 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. The way you go in this case is a judgment call.
III. Content and Function
This is where 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 have to figured out precisely what function an image serves. Consider what it is concerning 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 are the page is trying to describe. Knowing what the image is for makes alt text easier to write. And practice writing them definitely helps.
A method to check the usefulness of alternative text is to imagine reading the page on the phone to someone. What would you say when encountering a specific image to create the page understandable towards the listener?
Besides the alt attribute you've got a couple more tools available for images.
First, in degree of descriptiveness title is in between alt and longdesc. It adds useful information and can 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 through the keyboard. (A lot for device independence). So make use of the title attribute only for advisory information.
Second, the longdesc attribute points towards the Link to a full description of the image. If the information found in a picture is essential to the meaning of the page (i.e. some important content will be lost if the image was removed), a longer description than the "alt" attribute can reasonably display ought to 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 aim is by using any length of description necessary to impart the facts of the graphic.
It would not be remiss to hope that the long description conjures an image - the image - within the mind's eye, an analogy that is 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 best just choosing your gut instinct -- if it's not necessary to incorporate it, and when you don't have a strong urge to get it done, don't include 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 lot on the function of your image and it is context on 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 may be appropriate to use. However, if the image provides content or adds functional information an alt will be required and maybe a long description will be in order. Oftentimes this type of thing is a judgement call.
Image Seo optimization Tips
Listed here are key stages in optimizing images:
Select a logical file name that reinforces the keywords. You can use hyphens in the file name to isolate the keyword, but avoid to exceeding two hyphens. Stay away from underscores like a word separator, like for example "brilliant-diamonds.jpg";
Label the file extension. For example, when 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 graphic;
Ensure that the written text nearby the image that's relevant to that image.
Again, don't lose a great chance to help your site with your images in search engines. Use these steps to rank better on all the engines and drive increased traffic for your site TODAY.
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