Alt Attribute & Seo

SEO Optimization images has become more and more important in SEO (Seo 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 using alternative text for the images in your web site:

Images:. Use the alt attribute to supply descriptive text. Additionally, we recommend using a human-readable caption and descriptive text around the image.

Why would they ask us to achieve that? The answer is simple, really; search engines have the same problem as blind users. They cannot see the images.

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

On the contrary, high keyword density can, on some search engines like google, trigger spam filters, which may create a penalty for your site's ranking. Even without such a penalty, your site's rankings will not benefit from this tactic.
This process also puts persons who use screen readers in 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 as well.

Imagine listening to a paragraph of text that is then repetitions of numerous keywords. The page would be not even close to accessible, and, to put it bluntly, would be found quite annoying.
What is an Alt attribute?

An ALT attribute should not be used like a description or a label for an image, though lots of 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 should be its text equivalent and convey the same information or serve the same purpose the image would.

The goal is to provide the same functional information that the visual user would see. The alt attribute text should be the "stand in" when the image itself is not available. Ask yourself this question: If you were to replace the image 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 a 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 items in the look, then a description is appropriate.

If it is meant to convey data, then that information is what is appropriate.

If it is designed to convey the use of 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 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 a CSS background image to ensure that reading browsers do not bother users by uttering such things as "spacer image".

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

Alt text should be based on context. The same image inside a different context may need drastically different alt text.

Try to flow alt text with the remainder from the text because that is the way it will be read with adaptive technologies like screen readers. Someone hearing your page should hardly remember that a graphic image is there.
Please keep in mind that utilizing an alt attribute for every image is needed to meet the minimum WAI requirements, that are used as the benchmark for accessibility laws in UK and also the remainder of Europe. Also, they are 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 things that serve no purpose other than to create a site visually appealing/attractive and (oftentimes) fulfill the marketing departments. There isn't any content value (though there may be value to some sighted user).

Never alt-ify eye-candy unless there is something there which will enhance the usability from the site for somebody utilizing 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 actually set the mood or set the stage as it were. These graphics aren't direct content and could not be considered essential, but they are essential in that they help frame what's going on.

Attempt to alt-ify the 2nd group as is sensible and it is relevant. There might be instances when doing this might be annoying or detrimental to other users. Then 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 instances. But sometimes, it's vital that you understand this content in there for those users.

Most times this will depend on context. The same image in a different context may need drastically different alt text. Obviously, content ought to always be fully available. The way you use this example is really a judgment call.

III. Content and Function

This is where the image is the actual content. Always alt-ify content and functional images. Title and long description attributes may also be in order.
The main reason many authors can't understand why their alt text isn't working is that they don't know why the pictures exist. You need to determined precisely what function an image serves. Consider what it is concerning the image that's important to the page's intended audience.

Every graphic has a reason for being on that page: because it either improves the theme/ mood/ atmosphere or it is advisable to what are the page is attempting to explain. Understanding what the look is perfect for makes alt text easier to write. And exercise writing them definitely helps.
A way 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 have a couple more tools at your disposal 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 like a "tooltip" when focus is received via the keyboard. (A lot for device independence). So make use of the title attribute just for advisory information.
Second, the longdesc attribute points to the URL of a full description of an image. If the information found in a picture 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 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 the image...The goal is to use any length of description necessary to impart the details from the graphic.

It would not be remiss to hope that the long description conjures an image - the image - within the mind's eye, an analogy that is true even for that totally blind."

Even though alt attribute is mandatory for web accessibility and for valid (X)HTML, not every images need alternative text, long descriptions, or titles.

Oftentimes, you're better off just going with your gut instinct -- if it's not essential to include it, and when 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'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 its context on the page.

Exactly the same image may need alt text (or title or longdesc) in one spot, but not in another. If the 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 would be required and perhaps even a long description would be in order. Oftentimes this type of thing is a judgement call.

Image Search Engine 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. Stay away from underscores as a word separator, such as "brilliant-diamonds.jpg";

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

Ensure that the text nearby the image that's relevant to that image.
Again, don't lose a great opportunity to help your site together with your images searching engines. Begin using these steps to position better on all of the engines and drive more traffic for your site TODAY.