SEO Optimization images is becoming more and more essential in SEO (Seo optimization) for websites. The ALT attribute is really a critical step that is often overlooked. This can be a lost opportunity for better rankings.
In Google's webmaster guidelines, they advise the use of alternative text for that images in your web site:
Images:. Make use of the alt attribute to supply descriptive text. In addition, we recommend using a human-readable caption and descriptive text round the image.
Why would they ask us to do that? The answer is easy, really; search engines like google have a similar problem as blind users. They cannot 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 as it was previously.
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 won't benefit from this tactic.
This method also puts persons who use screen readers in a greater disadvantage. Screen readers are software-based tools that actually read aloud the items in what's displayed on the screen. In browsing the web, the alt features of images are read aloud as well.
Imagine hearing a paragraph of text that is then repetitions of many keywords. The page will be far from accessible, and, to put it mildly, would be found quite annoying.
What exactly is an Alt attribute?
An ALT attribute should not be used like a description or a label for an image, though many people use it in that fashion. Though it might seem 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 exactly the same purpose the image would.
The goal would be 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 image itself is unavailable. Think about this: Should you replace the image with the text, would most users get the same basic information, and wouldn't it generate the same response?
Some examples:
Some SEO Optimization Tips
If a search button is a magnifier or binoculars its alt text ought to be 'search' or 'find' not 'magnifying glass' or 'binoculars'.
If the image is meant to convey the literal items in the look, then a description is appropriate.
If it's designed to convey data, then that information is what is appropriate.
If it is meant to convey using a function, then the function 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 merely a decorative role within 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".
Remember that it is the function of the image we're trying to convey. For instance; any button images should not range from the word "button" in the alt text. They should emphasize the action performed through the button.
Alt text should be based on context. Exactly the same image in a different context may need drastically different alt text.
Try to flow alt text with the rest 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 keep in mind that utilizing an alt attribute for each image is needed to satisfy the minimum WAI requirements, that are used since the benchmark for accessibility laws in UK and also 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 create a site visually appealing/attractive and (oftentimes) fulfill 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 boost the usability of the site for somebody using 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 may actually set the atmosphere or set happens so to speak. These graphics are not 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 second group as is sensible and is relevant. There might be instances when doing so might be annoying or detrimental with other users. Then avoid it.
For example; Alt text that is just like adjacent text is unnecessary, and an irritant to screen reader users. I recommend alt="" or background CSS images in such instances. But sometimes, it's vital that you get this content in there for all users.
Most times this will depend on context. Exactly the same image in a different context may require drastically different alt text. Obviously, content should always be fully available. The way you go in this example 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 in order.
The reason many authors can't figure out why their alt text isn't working is they don't know why the images are there. You have to determined precisely what function an image serves. Think about what it is concerning the image that's important to the page's intended audience.
Every graphic includes 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 trying to describe. Knowing what the image is for makes alt text easier to write. And exercise writing them definitely helps.
A method to check the usefulness of alternative text is to imagine reading the page over the telephone to someone. An amount 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 available 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 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 make use of the title attribute only for advisory information.
Second, the longdesc attribute points towards the Link to a complete description of the image. If the information contained in an image is important towards 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 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 really a long description of an image...The aim is to use any length of description essential to impart the details of the graphic.
It wouldn't be remiss to hope that the long description conjures an image - the look - in the mind's eye, an analogy that holds true even for that 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.
In many cases, you're better off just choosing your gut instinct -- if it's not necessary to incorporate it, and when you don't have a strong urge to do it, don't add 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 the 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 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 a long description will be so as. Oftentimes this type of thing is a judgement call.
Image Seo 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 instance, if the image internet search engine sees a ".jpg" (JPEG) file extension, it's likely to assume the file is a photo, and when it sees a ".gif" (GIF) file extension, it's likely to assume that it is a graphic;
Ensure that the text at the image that is highly relevant to that image.
Again, do not lose an excellent opportunity to help your website with your images searching engines. Begin using these steps to position better on all the engines and drive increased traffic for your site TODAY.
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