SEO Optimization images is becoming increasingly more important 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 site:
Images:. Use the alt attribute to provide descriptive text. Additionally, we recommend utilizing a human-readable caption and descriptive text around the image.
Why would they ask us to achieve that? The answer is simple, really; search engines like google have the same problem as blind users. They can't begin to see the images.
Many webmasters and inexperienced or unethical SEOs abuse using this attribute, trying to stuff it with keywords, hoping to achieve a certain keyword density, which isn't 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 might result in a penalty for the 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 in a greater disadvantage. Screen readers are software-based tools that really read aloud the contents of what's displayed on the screen. In browsing the web, the alt attributes of images are read aloud too.
Imagine hearing a paragraph of text that is then repetitions of numerous keywords. The page will be not even close to accessible, and, to put it bluntly, would 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 use it for the reason that fashion. Though it may appear natural to assume that alternate text is a label or perhaps a description, it's not!
What used within 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 goal would be to supply the same functional information that a visual user would see. The alt attribute text should function as a "stand in" in the event that the look itself is unavailable. Think about this question: If you were to replace the image using the text, would most users receive the same basic information, and would it generate the same response?
A few examples:
Some SEO Optimization Tips
If a search button is a magnifying glass or binoculars its alt text should be 'search' or 'find' not 'magnifying glass' or 'binoculars'.
If the image is supposed to convey the literal items in the image, a description is suitable.
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 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 merely 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 such things as "spacer image".
Keep in mind that it's the function of the image we are trying to convey. For example; any button images should not include the word "button" within the alt text. They should emphasize the action performed by the button.
Alt text should be determined by context. The same image inside a different context may require drastically different alt text.
Try to flow alt text with the remainder of the text because that is the way it will be read with adaptive technologies like screen readers. Someone hearing your page should hardly be aware that a graphic image is there.
Please remember that utilizing an alt attribute for each image is required 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 required to meet "Section 508" accessibility requirements in america.
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 make a site visually appealing/attractive and (in many cases) 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 is something there that will enhance 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 may serve to set the mood or set happens as it were. These graphics are not direct content and could not be considered essential, but they are essential in they help frame what is going on.
Try to alt-ify the 2nd group as is sensible and is relevant. There might be times when doing so 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 those users.
Most times it depends on context. The same image in a different context may require drastically different alt text. Obviously, content should always be fully available. The way you use 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 so as.
The main reason many authors can't figure out why their alt text isn't working is they don't know why the images exist. You have to determined exactly what function a picture serves. Think about what it is about the image that's vital that you the page's intended audience.
Every graphic has a reason behind being on that page: because it either enhances the theme/ mood/ atmosphere or it is critical to what the page is trying to explain. Understanding 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. An amount you say when encountering a specific image to make 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 level of descriptiveness title is within between alt and longdesc. It adds useful information and can add flavor. The title attribute is optionally rendered by the user agent. Remember they are invisible and never shown like a "tooltip" when focus is received via the keyboard. (So much for device independence). So use the title attribute just for advisory information.
Second, the longdesc attribute points to the Link to a full description of an image. If the information found in an image is important to the meaning of the page (i.e. some important content would be lost when the image was removed), an extended description than the "alt" attribute can reasonably display should be used. It may 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 an image. As Clark [1] states, "A longdesc is a long description of an image...The aim is to use any period of description necessary to impart the facts from the graphic.
It would not be remiss to hope that a long description conjures a picture - the look - in the mind's eye, an analogy that is true even for that totally blind."
Even though alt attribute is mandatory for web accessibility and for valid (X)HTML, not all 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 incorporate it, and when you don't have a strong urge to do it, don't add that longdesc.
However, if it's essential for the whole page to work, then you've to add the alt text (or title or longdesc).
What's necessary and what's not depends a great deal on the function of the image and it is context about the page.
Exactly the same image may require alt text (or title or longdesc) in a single 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. However, if the image provides content or adds functional information an alt will be required and maybe a long description would be in order. Oftentimes this type of thing is really a judgement call.
Image Seo optimization Tips
Listed below are key stages in optimizing images:
Choose 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. Avoid using underscores like 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 going to assume that the file is really a photo, and if it sees a ".gif" (GIF) file extension, it's likely to assume that it is a graphic;
Make sure that the text nearby the image that's highly relevant to that image.
Again, don't lose a great opportunity to help your site with your images searching engines. Use these steps to rank better on all of the engines and drive increased traffic to your site TODAY.
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