SEO Optimization images is becoming increasingly 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 chance of better rankings.
In Google's webmaster guidelines, they advise using alternative text for that images in your site:
Images:. Make use of the alt attribute to provide 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 easy, really; search engines like google have the same problem as blind users. They can't 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 once was.
On the other hand, high keyword density can, on some search engines, trigger spam filters, which might create a penalty for the site's ranking. Even without such a penalty, your site's rankings will not benefit from 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 items in what's shown on the screen. In browsing the net, the alt attributes of images are read aloud too.
Imagine hearing a paragraph of text that is followed by repetitions of many keywords. The page would be not even close to accessible, and, to put it bluntly, will be found quite annoying.
What exactly is an Alt attribute?
An ALT attribute shouldn't be used like a description or perhaps a label for an image, though lots of people utilize it for the reason that fashion. Although it may appear natural to assume that alternate text is really a label or a description, it is 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 that the image would.
The thing 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 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 wouldn't it create the same response?
Some 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 meant to convey the literal items in the image, 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 the function is what ought to 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 merely a decorative role within the page, use an empty alt (i.e. alt="") or perhaps a CSS background image so that reading browsers do not bother users by uttering things like "spacer image".
Keep in mind that it is the function of the image we're trying to convey. For instance; any button images shouldn't include the word "button" in the alt text. They should emphasize the action performed through the button.
Alt text ought to be determined by context. Exactly the same image inside 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 is going to be read with adaptive technologies like screen readers. Someone listening to your page should hardly remember that a graphic image can there be.
Please remember that utilizing an alt attribute for every image is needed to meet the minimum WAI requirements, which are used as the benchmark for accessibility laws in UK and the remainder of Europe. Also, they are necessary 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 apart from 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 which will enhance the usability from the site for someone 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 atmosphere or set the stage as it were. These graphics aren't direct content and may not be considered essential, but they are important in that they help frame what is going on.
Attempt to alt-ify the second group as makes sense and it is relevant. There might be times when doing so may be annoying or detrimental with other users. Then avoid it.
For example; Alt text that's just like 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 important to get this content inside for all users.
Most times this will depend on context. Exactly the same image inside a different context may require drastically different alt text. Obviously, content ought to always be fully available. The way you use this example is really a judgment call.
III. Content and Function
This is when the look may be the actual content. Always alt-ify content and functional images. Title and long description attributes can also be in order.
The main reason many authors can't understand why their alt text isn't working is that they don't know why the pictures exist. You have to determined precisely what function a picture serves. Consider what it's about the image that's vital that you the page's intended audience.
Every graphic includes a reason for being on that page: since it either improves the theme/ mood/ atmosphere or it is advisable to what are the page is trying to explain. Understanding what the look is perfect for makes alt text simpler to write. And exercise writing them definitely helps.
A way to check the usefulness of alternative text would be to imagine reading the page over the telephone to someone. What would you say when encountering a specific image to create the page understandable to the listener?
Aside from the alt attribute you've got a couple more tools available for images.
First, in level of descriptiveness title is in between alt and longdesc. It adds useful information and can add flavor. The title attribute is optionally rendered through the user agent. Remember they are invisible and never shown like a "tooltip" when focus is received via 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 complete description of an image. When the information found in an image is essential towards the concept 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 may provide for rich, expressive documentation of the 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 aim is by using any period of description essential to impart the facts from the graphic.
It wouldn't be remiss to hope that the long description conjures a picture - the look - in the mind's eye, an analogy that holds 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 choosing your gut instinct -- if it's not necessary to include it, and if you don't have a strong urge to do it, don't include that longdesc.
However, if it's essential for the entire page to work, then you've 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 its context about the page.
Exactly the same image may require alt text (or title or longdesc) in one spot, but not in another. If an image provides simply no content or functional information alt="" or background CSS images might be appropriate to use. However, if the image provides content or adds functional information an alt would be required and maybe a long description will be in order. Oftentimes this kind of thing is a judgement call.
Image Seo optimization Tips
Listed below are key stages in optimizing images:
Select 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 like 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 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 graphic;
Ensure that the written text nearby the image that's relevant to that image.
Again, don't lose a great opportunity to help your website together with your images searching engines. Begin using these steps to rank better on all the engines and drive more traffic for your site TODAY.
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