SEO Optimization images has become increasingly more important 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 using alternative text for that images in your site:
Images:. Use the alt attribute to provide descriptive text. Additionally, we recommend using 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 a similar problem as blind users. They cannot 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 is not 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 the site's ranking. Even without this type of penalty, your site's rankings won't take advantage of this plan.
This process also puts persons who use screen readers at 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 net, the alt attributes of images are read aloud too.
Imagine listening to a paragraph of text that is followed by repetitions of many keywords. The page will 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 should not be used as a description or a label for an image, though many people use it for the reason that fashion. Although it might seem natural to assume that alternate text is a label or a description, it is not!
The words used inside an image's alt attribute ought to be its text equivalent and convey exactly the same information or serve the same purpose that 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 your search button is really 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 contents of the image, then a description is suitable.
If it's designed to convey data, then that data is what is appropriate.
If it is 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 as well as for valid XHTML.
For images that play merely a decorative role in the page, make use of an empty alt (i.e. alt="") or perhaps a CSS background image so that reading browsers don't bother users by uttering things like "spacer image".
Remember that it's the function from the image we are attempting to convey. For example; any button images should not range from the word "button" in the alt text. They should emphasize the action performed by the button.
Alt text should be based on context. Exactly the same image inside a different context may need drastically different alt text.
Attempt to flow alt text with the remainder from the text because that's the way it is going to 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 utilizing an alt attribute for every image is required to satisfy the minimum WAI requirements, which are used since the benchmark for accessibility laws in UK and also the rest of Europe. They are also necessary to meet "Section 508" accessibility requirements in the US.
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 create a site visually appealing/attractive and (in many cases) fulfill the marketing departments. There isn't any content value (though there might be value to a sighted user).
Never alt-ify eye-candy unless there is something there which will boost the usability of 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 actually the middle layer of graphics which might actually set the mood or set happens so to speak. These graphics aren't direct content and may 't be considered essential, but they are essential in that they help frame what is going on.
Attempt to alt-ify the 2nd group as is sensible and it is relevant. There may be times when doing this may be annoying or detrimental with other users. Then try to avoid it.
For instance; Alt text that is identical to adjacent text is unnecessary, and 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.
Usually it depends on context. The same image in a different context may require drastically different alt text. Obviously, content ought to always be fully available. The way you go in this case 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 reason many authors can't understand why their alt text isn't working is they don't know why the pictures are there. You have to figured out exactly what function a picture serves. Consider what it's concerning the image that's vital that you the page's intended audience.
Every graphic has a reason for being on that page: because it either enhances the theme/ mood/ atmosphere or it is critical to what are the page is trying to explain. Understanding what the look is perfect for makes alt text easier to write. And practice writing them definitely helps.
A method to look into 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?
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 never shown like a "tooltip" when focus is received via the keyboard. (So much for device independence). So use the title attribute only for advisory information.
Second, the longdesc attribute points towards the URL of a full description of an image. When the information contained in an image is essential towards 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 ought to be used. It can 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 really a long description of an image...The goal is to use any length of description necessary to impart the facts of 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 and for valid (X)HTML, not all images need alternative text, long descriptions, or titles.
Oftentimes, you're 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 get it done, don't add that longdesc.
However, if it's essential for the whole page to operate, then you've to include 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 require alt text (or title or longdesc) in a single spot, but not in another. If an image provides absolutely 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 will be so as. Oftentimes this type of thing is really a judgement call.
Image Seo optimization Tips
Listed below are key steps in optimizing images:
Select 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, like for example "brilliant-diamonds.jpg";
Label the file extension. For instance, when the image internet search engine sees a ".jpg" (JPEG) file extension, it's likely to assume that the file is 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 written text at the image that is relevant to that image.
Again, don't lose a great chance to help your website with your images searching engines. Begin using these steps to position better on all the engines and drive increased traffic to your site TODAY.