SEO Optimization images is becoming more and more essential in SEO (Search Engine 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 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 utilizing 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 the same problem as blind users. They can't begin to see the images.
Many webmasters and inexperienced or unethical SEOs abuse the use of this attribute, trying to stuff it with keywords, hoping to achieve a particular keyword density, which isn't as relevant for rankings now since it was previously.
On the contrary, high keyword density can, on some search engines, trigger spam filters, which may create a penalty for your site's ranking. Even without such a penalty, your site's rankings won't take advantage of this plan.
This process 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 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 shouldn't be used as a description or perhaps a label to have an image, though lots of people use it in that fashion. Though it may appear natural to assume that alternate text is a label or 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 provide the same functional information that a visual user would see. The alt attribute text should be the "stand in" when the look is unavailable. Ask yourself this: If you were to replace the look with the text, would most users receive the same basic information, and would it create the same response?
Some examples:
Some SEO Optimization Tips
If a search button is a magnifying glass 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 contents of the image, a description is appropriate.
If it's designed to convey data, then that information is what is appropriate.
If it is 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 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 don't bother users by uttering things like "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 ought to emphasize the action performed through the button.
Alt text ought to be based on context. Exactly the same image inside a different context may require drastically different alt text.
Try to flow alt text with the rest of the text because that is how it is going to 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 using an alt attribute for every image is required to satisfy the minimum WAI requirements, that are used as the benchmark for accessibility laws in UK and the remainder of Europe. They are also 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 things that serve no purpose apart from to make a site visually appealing/attractive and (oftentimes) fulfill 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 which will boost the usability from the site for somebody 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 actually set the atmosphere or set happens so to speak. These graphics are not direct content and may 't be considered essential, but they're important in they help frame what's going on.
Attempt to alt-ify the second group as makes sense and is relevant. There might be times when doing this may be annoying or detrimental with other users. Then avoid it.
For instance; Alt text that is just like adjacent text is unnecessary, as well as an irritant to screen reader users. I recommend alt="" or background CSS images in such instances. But sometimes, it's important to understand this content inside for all users.
Most times it depends on context. Exactly the same image in a different context may need 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 in order.
The main reason many authors can't figure out why their alt text isn't working is they don't know why the pictures are there. You need to determined exactly what function a picture serves. Consider what it is about the image that's important to the page's intended audience.
Every graphic includes a reason for standing on that page: since it either improves the theme/ mood/ atmosphere or it is advisable to what the page is attempting to describe. Knowing what the look is perfect for makes alt text easier to write. And exercise writing them definitely helps.
A method to check the usefulness of alternative text would be to imagine reading the page over the telephone to someone. An amount you say when encountering a particular image to make 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 may add flavor. The title attribute is optionally rendered through the user agent. Remember they are invisible and not shown like a "tooltip" when focus is received via the keyboard. (So much for device independence). So make use of the title attribute only for advisory information.
Second, the longdesc attribute points to the URL of a full description of the image. When the information found in an image is essential towards the meaning of the page (i.e. some important content will be lost when the image was removed), a longer description than the "alt" attribute can reasonably display should be used. It can provide for rich, expressive documentation of a visual image.
It ought to be used when alt and title are insufficient to embody the visual qualities of an image. As Clark [1] states, "A longdesc is really a long description of the image...The aim is by using any length of description necessary to impart the facts from the graphic.
It wouldn't be remiss to hope that the long description conjures a picture - the image - in the mind's eye, an analogy that is true even for the totally blind."
Even though 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 essential to include it, and if you don't have a strong urge to get it done, don't add that longdesc.
However, if it's necessary for the entire page to work, then you have to add the alt text (or title or longdesc).
What's necessary and what's not depends a lot about the function of the image and its context on the page.
Exactly the same image may need alt text (or title or longdesc) in a single 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. However, if the image provides content or adds functional information an alt would be required and maybe even 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 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 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 going to assume that it is a graphic;
Make sure that the text nearby the image that's relevant to that image.
Again, don't lose a great chance to help your website with your images in search engines. Begin using these steps to position better on all the engines and drive more traffic for your site TODAY.
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