Alt Attribute & Seo

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 sometimes forgotten. This is often a lost chance of better rankings.

In Google's webmaster guidelines, they advise using alternative text for that 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 do that? The answer is simple, really; search engines have the same problem as blind users. They can't see the images.

Many webmasters and inexperienced or unethical SEOs abuse using this attribute, attempting to stuff it with keywords, looking to achieve a particular keyword density, which isn't as relevant for rankings now as it once was.

On the contrary, 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 take advantage of this tactic.
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 is shown on the screen. In browsing the net, the alt features of images are read aloud as well.

Imagine listening to a paragraph of text which is then repetitions of numerous keywords. The page would be not even close to accessible, and, to put it mildly, would 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 lots of people utilize it in that fashion. Though it might seem natural to assume that alternate text is really 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 the same information or serve exactly the same purpose 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" when the look itself is unavailable. Think about this question: If you were to replace the look with the text, would most users get 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 ought to be 'search' or 'find' not 'magnifying glass' or 'binoculars'.

If an image is meant to convey the literal contents of the look, then a description is appropriate.

If it's designed to convey data, then that data is what's 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 and for valid XHTML.

For images that play only a decorative role in 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 things like "spacer image".

Keep in mind that it is the function from the image we are attempting to convey. For instance; any button images shouldn't include the word "button" within the alt text. They ought to emphasize the action performed by the button.

Alt text should be based on context. Exactly the same image in a different context may require drastically different alt text.

Attempt to flow alt text with the remainder from the text because that is how it will be read with adaptive technologies like screen readers. Someone hearing your page should hardly remember that a graphic image can there be.
Please remember that using an alt attribute for every image is needed to satisfy the minimum WAI requirements, that 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 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 create a site visually appealing/attractive and (in many cases) fulfill the marketing departments. There is no content value (though there might be value to a sighted user).

Never alt-ify eye-candy unless there is something there that will enhance the usability from 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 actually the middle layer of graphics which may serve to set the mood or set the stage so to speak. These graphics are not direct content and may not be considered essential, but they are important in that they help frame what's going on.

Attempt to alt-ify the second group as is sensible and is relevant. There may be instances when doing this might be annoying or detrimental to other users. Then try to avoid it.

For instance; Alt text that is identical to 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 vital that you get this content inside for those users.

Usually it depends on context. 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 a judgment call.

III. Content and Function

This is where the look is the actual content. Always alt-ify content and functional images. Title and long description attributes may also be so as.
The main reason many authors can't understand why their alt text isn't working is they don't know why the images exist. You need to figured out exactly what function an image serves. Consider what it is about the image that's vital that you the page's intended audience.

Every graphic has a reason behind standing on that page: since it either enhances the theme/ mood/ atmosphere or it is advisable to what are the page is trying to explain. Knowing what the image is perfect for makes alt text simpler 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 over the telephone to someone. An amount you say when encountering a particular image to make the page understandable towards the listener?

Aside from the alt attribute you've got a couple more tools available for images.
First, in degree 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're invisible and never shown as a "tooltip" when focus is received via the keyboard. (A lot for device independence). So use the title attribute just for advisory information.
Second, the longdesc attribute points to the Link to a complete description of an image. If the information found in a picture is essential towards the meaning of the page (i.e. some important content will be lost if the image was removed), an extended description compared to "alt" attribute can reasonably display ought to be used. It may offer 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 an image...The aim is by using any length of description essential to impart the facts from the graphic.

It wouldn't be remiss to hope that a long description conjures an image - the look - within the mind's eye, an analogy that holds true even for the totally blind."

Although the 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 better off just choosing your gut instinct -- if it's not essential to incorporate it, and if you don't have a strong urge to get it done, don't include that longdesc.

However, if it's necessary for the entire page to operate, 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 it is context about the page.

The same image may need alt text (or title or longdesc) in a single spot, but not in another. If the image provides absolutely no content or functional information alt="" or background CSS images might be appropriate to make use of. However, if the image provides content or adds functional information an alt would be required and perhaps a long description will be in order. In many cases this kind of thing is a judgement call.

Image Seo optimization Tips

Listed here are key steps in optimizing images:

Choose 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, like for example "brilliant-diamonds.jpg";

Label the file extension. For example, if the image search engine sees a ".jpg" (JPEG) file extension, it's going to assume the file is really a photo, and if it sees a ".gif" (GIF) file extension, it's likely to assume that it is graphic;

Ensure that the written text at the image that's relevant to that image.
Again, don't lose an excellent opportunity to help your site together with your images searching engines. Begin using these steps to rank better on all of the engines and drive increased traffic for your site TODAY.