SEO Optimization images has become more and more essential in SEO (Search Engine Optimization) for websites. The ALT attribute is really a critical step that is often overlooked. This is often a lost chance of better rankings.
In Google's webmaster guidelines, they advise the use of alternative text for the images in your web site:
Images:. Make use of 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 do that? The answer is simple, really; search engines have the same problem as blind users. They can't begin to see the images.
Many webmasters and inexperienced or unethical SEOs abuse using this attribute, trying to stuff it with keywords, looking to achieve a particular keyword density, which is not as relevant for rankings now since it once was.
On the other hand, high keyword density can, on some search engines like google, trigger spam filters, which might result in a penalty for the site's ranking. Even without such a penalty, your site's rankings will not 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 is shown on the screen. In browsing the web, the alt features of images are read aloud too.
Imagine hearing a paragraph of text that is then repetitions of many keywords. The page will be not even close to accessible, and, to put it mildly, will be found quite annoying.
What exactly is an Alt attribute?
An ALT attribute should not be used like a description or perhaps a label for an image, though lots of people utilize it in that fashion. Although it may appear natural to assume that alternate text is a label or perhaps a description, it's not!
The words used within 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 provide the same functional information that a visual user would see. The alt attribute text should be the "stand in" when the look itself is not available. Think about this: Should you replace the look using the text, would most users receive the same basic information, and would it generate the same response?
A few examples:
Some SEO Optimization Tips
If your search button is a magnifying glass 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 image, then a description is suitable.
If it is designed to convey data, then that data is what's appropriate.
If it's designed to convey using a function, then your function 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 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 from the image we are attempting to convey. For instance; any button images should not include the word "button" within the alt text. They should emphasize the action performed by the button.
Alt text should be based on context. The same image inside a different context may require drastically different alt text.
Try to flow alt text with the rest from the text because that is how it is going to be read with adaptive technologies like screen readers. Someone hearing your page should hardly remember that a graphic image can there be.
Please keep in mind that using an alt attribute for every image is required to meet the minimum WAI requirements, that are used since the benchmark for accessibility laws in UK and also the remainder of Europe. Also, they are 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 stuff that serve no purpose apart from to make a site visually appealing/attractive and (in many cases) 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 is something there which will enhance 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 the stage so to speak. These graphics are not direct content and may not be considered essential, but they are essential in that they help frame what is going on.
Try to alt-ify the 2nd group as makes sense and it is relevant. There may be times when doing this might be annoying or detrimental with other users. Then try to 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 important to understand this content in there for all 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 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 so as.
The main reason many authors can't figure out why their alt text isn't working is that they don't know why the pictures are there. You have to determined precisely what function a picture serves. Think about what it's concerning the image that's vital that you the page's intended audience.
Every graphic includes a reason for being on that page: since it either improves the theme/ mood/ atmosphere or it is critical to what the page is attempting to explain. 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 specific image to create the page understandable towards 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 not 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 towards the Link to a complete description of the image. If the information contained in an image is essential to the meaning of the page (i.e. some important content will be lost when the image was removed), an extended description than the "alt" attribute can reasonably display should be used. It may 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 to use any length of description necessary to impart the details 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."
Although the alt attribute is mandatory for web accessibility as well as 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 include it, and if you don't possess a strong urge to get it done, don't include that longdesc.
However, if it's necessary for the whole 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 the image and it is context about the page.
The same image may require alt text (or title or longdesc) in a single spot, but not in another. If the image provides simply 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 even a long description will be so as. In many cases this kind of thing is really a judgement call.
Image Search Engine Optimization Tips
Listed below are key steps 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 instance, if 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 graphic;
Ensure that the text at the image that is relevant to that image.
Again, do not lose an excellent chance to help your website with your images searching engines. Use these steps to position better on all of the engines and drive increased traffic for your site TODAY.