SEO Optimization images is becoming 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 the use of alternative text for the images on your web site:
Images:. Use 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 do that? The answer is simple, really; search engines like google have a similar problem as blind users. They cannot begin to 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 certain keyword density, which isn't as relevant for rankings now since it was previously.
On the other hand, high keyword density can, on some search engines, trigger spam filters, which might create a penalty for your site's ranking. Even without such a penalty, your site's rankings will not benefit from 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 is shown on the screen. In browsing the web, the alt attributes of images are read aloud too.
Imagine listening to a paragraph of text which is then repetitions of numerous keywords. The page would be far from 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 perhaps a label to have an image, though many people utilize it in that fashion. Although it may appear natural to assume that alternate text is really a label or perhaps a description, it's not!
The words 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 goal is to provide 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 image is unavailable. Think about this question: If you were to replace the image with the text, would most users get the same basic information, and would it generate the same response?
Some examples:
Some SEO Optimization Tips
If a search button is a magnifier or binoculars its alt text should be 'search' or 'find' not 'magnifying glass' or 'binoculars'.
If an 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's appropriate.
If it is meant to convey using a function, then your function itself 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 within the page, use an empty alt (i.e. alt="") or a CSS background image so 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 attempting to convey. For instance; any button images shouldn't range from the word "button" within the alt text. They should emphasize the action performed through the button.
Alt text should be based on context. The same image inside a different context may require drastically different alt text.
Attempt to flow alt text with the remainder of the text because that's the way it will be read with adaptive technologies like screen readers. Someone listening to your page should hardly be aware that a graphic image is there.
Please keep in mind that utilizing an alt attribute for each image is required to meet the minimum WAI requirements, which are used since the benchmark for accessibility laws in UK and the remainder of Europe. They are also required to meet "Section 508" accessibility requirements in the US.
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 other than to create a site visually appealing/attractive and (oftentimes) 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's something there that will boost the usability from 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 might serve to set the mood 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.
Try to alt-ify the second group as is sensible and is relevant. There might be times when doing so might be annoying or detrimental with other users. Then avoid it.
For instance; Alt text that's identical to 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 important to understand this content inside for those users.
Usually this will depend on context. The same image inside a different context may need drastically different alt text. Obviously, content should always be fully available. How you go in this case 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 understand why their alt text isn't working is that they don't know why the images are there. You need to determined exactly what function an image serves. Consider what it's about the image that's important to 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 advisable to what are the page is attempting to explain. Understanding what the image is perfect for makes alt text simpler to write. And exercise writing them definitely helps.
A way to look into 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 towards the listener?
Besides the alt attribute you have a couple more tools available for images.
First, in level of descriptiveness title is within 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 through 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 Link to a full description of an image. If the information contained in a picture is essential to the concept of the page (i.e. some important content would be lost if the image was removed), an extended description than the "alt" attribute can reasonably display should be used. It can 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 to use any length of description necessary to impart the details from the graphic.
It would not be remiss to hope that a long description conjures an image - the look - within the mind's eye, an analogy that is true even for that 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.
Oftentimes, you're best just going with your gut instinct -- if it's not necessary to include it, and when you don't possess a strong urge to do it, don't add that longdesc.
However, if it's necessary for the entire page to operate, then you have to include the alt text (or title or longdesc).
What's necessary and what's not depends a great deal on the function of the 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 an image provides simply no content or functional information alt="" or background CSS images may be appropriate to make use of. However, if the image provides content or adds functional information an alt will be required and maybe even a long description would be so as. In many cases this kind of thing is a judgement call.
Image Seo optimization Tips
Listed here are key stages in optimizing images:
Choose 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, 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;
Make sure that the written text at the image that is highly relevant to that image.
Again, do not lose an excellent chance to help your website with your images searching engines. Begin using these steps to position better on all the engines and drive more traffic to your site TODAY.
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