SEO Optimization images is becoming increasingly more important in SEO (Seo 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 the images on your site:
Images:. Use the alt attribute to supply descriptive text. In addition, we recommend using 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, attempting to stuff it with keywords, looking to achieve a certain keyword density, which isn't as relevant for rankings now as it once was.
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 plan.
This method 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 shown on the screen. In browsing the web, the alt attributes of images are read aloud as well.
Imagine listening to a paragraph of text which is followed by repetitions of numerous keywords. The page will be far from accessible, and, to put it bluntly, would be found quite annoying.
What is an Alt attribute?
An ALT attribute shouldn't be used as a description or a label to have an image, though many 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!
What used inside an image's alt attribute ought to be its text equivalent and convey the same information or serve the same purpose that the image would.
The thing is to supply 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. Think about this: If you were to replace the image using the text, would most users receive the same basic information, and wouldn't it generate the same response?
A few examples:
Some SEO Optimization Tips
If your search button is really a magnifier or binoculars its alt text should be 'search' or 'find' not 'magnifying glass' or 'binoculars'.
If the image is meant to convey the literal items in the image, a description is suitable.
If it's designed to convey data, then that data is what's appropriate.
If it's meant to convey the use of a function, then the 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 in the page, make use of 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".
Keep in mind that it's the function of the image we're attempting to convey. For instance; any button images should not include the word "button" within the alt text. They ought to emphasize the action performed through the button.
Alt text should be determined by context. The same image in a different context may require drastically different alt text.
Try 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 be aware that a graphic image can there be.
Please keep in mind that using an alt attribute for every image is needed to meet the minimum WAI requirements, that are used since the benchmark for accessibility laws in UK and the rest 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 things 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 might be value to some sighted user).
Never alt-ify eye-candy unless there's something there that will boost the usability of 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 the middle layer of graphics which may actually set the mood or set happens as it were. These graphics aren't direct content and may not be considered essential, but they are essential in that they help frame what's going on.
Attempt to alt-ify the 2nd group as makes sense and 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 just like 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 those users.
Usually it depends on context. The same image inside a different context may require drastically different alt text. Obviously, content should always be fully available. How you use this example 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 may also be in order.
The reason many authors can't understand why their alt text isn't working is they don't know why the images are there. You have to determined exactly what function an image serves. Think about what it is about 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 improves the theme/ mood/ atmosphere or it is advisable to what are the page is trying to describe. Understanding what the look is for makes alt text easier to write. And practice writing them definitely helps.
A method to look into the usefulness of alternative text would be to imagine reading the page on the phone to someone. What would you say when encountering a specific image to make the page understandable towards the listener?
Besides the alt attribute you've got a couple more tools at your disposal 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 through the user agent. Remember they're invisible and not shown like a "tooltip" when focus is received through the keyboard. (A lot for device independence). So use 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 contained in an image is essential to the meaning 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 should 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 a long description of an image...The goal is to use any period of description essential to impart the details from the graphic.
It wouldn't be remiss to hope that a long description conjures a picture - 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 and for valid (X)HTML, not every images need alternative text, long descriptions, or titles.
Oftentimes, you are better off just going with your gut instinct -- if it's not necessary to include it, and if you don't possess a strong urge to get it done, don't include that longdesc.
However, if it's necessary 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 about the function of your image and its context on the page.
Exactly the same image may need alt text (or title or longdesc) in one spot, although not in another. If the image provides simply no content or functional information alt="" or background CSS images may be appropriate to use. But if the image provides content or adds functional information an alt will be required and perhaps a long description would be so as. In many cases this kind of thing is a judgement call.
Image Search Engine Optimization Tips
Listed here are key steps 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 as a word separator, such as "brilliant-diamonds.jpg";
Label the file extension. For instance, when the image search engine sees a ".jpg" (JPEG) file extension, it's going 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 nearby the image that is relevant to that image.
Again, do not lose an excellent chance to help your website together with your images in search engines. Use these steps to rank better on all the engines and drive increased traffic to your site TODAY.
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