SEO Optimization images is becoming more and more important in SEO (Seo optimization) for websites. The ALT attribute is a critical step that is often overlooked. This can be 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:. Use the alt attribute to supply descriptive text. Additionally, we recommend utilizing 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 like google have a similar problem as blind users. They can't 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 contrary, high keyword density can, on some search engines, trigger spam filters, which may result in a penalty for your site's ranking. Even without such a penalty, your site's rankings will not take advantage of this plan.
This method also puts persons who use screen readers at a greater disadvantage. Screen readers are software-based tools that actually read aloud the contents of what's displayed on the screen. In browsing the net, the alt features of images are read aloud too.
Imagine listening to a paragraph of text which is then repetitions of numerous 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 shouldn't be used like a description or a label for an image, though many people use it for the reason that fashion. Though it might seem natural to assume that alternate text is really a label or perhaps a description, it is not!
What used inside an image's alt attribute ought to 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 the visual user would see. The alt attribute text should function as a "stand in" when the look itself is not available. Ask yourself this question: If you were to replace the image 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 a magnifier or binoculars its alt text should be 'search' or 'find' not 'magnifying glass' or 'binoculars'.
If the image is supposed to convey the literal contents of the look, a description is suitable.
If it is designed to convey data, then that information is what is appropriate.
If it's meant to convey the use of a function, then your 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 merely a decorative role within the page, use an empty alt (i.e. alt="") or a CSS background image to ensure that reading browsers don't bother users by uttering things like "spacer image".
Keep in mind that it is the function of the image we are attempting to convey. For example; any button images should not include the word "button" within the alt text. They ought to emphasize the action performed by the button.
Alt text ought to be determined by context. The same image inside a different context may require drastically different alt text.
Attempt to flow alt text with the rest of the text because that is the way it is going to be read with adaptive technologies like screen readers. Someone listening to your page should hardly remember that a graphic image is there.
Please remember that using an alt attribute for every image is needed to satisfy the minimum WAI requirements, which are used as the benchmark for accessibility laws in UK and also the rest of Europe. They are also required 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 other than to create a site visually appealing/attractive and (oftentimes) satisfy 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 which will enhance the usability of the site for someone 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 might serve to set the atmosphere or set happens so to speak. These graphics are not direct content and could 't be considered essential, but they are important in they help frame what's going on.
Attempt to alt-ify the 2nd group as makes sense and is relevant. There might be times when doing so may be annoying or detrimental with other users. Then try to avoid it.
For example; Alt text that's just like 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 important to get this content in there for all users.
Most times it depends on context. Exactly the same image in a different context may need drastically different alt text. Obviously, content should always be fully available. How you use this example is really a judgment call.
III. Content and Function
This is when the image is the actual content. Always alt-ify content and functional images. Title and long description attributes may also be so as.
The reason many authors can't figure out why their alt text isn't working is they don't know why the images exist. You need to figured out precisely what function a picture serves. Consider what it is concerning the image that's vital that you the page's intended audience.
Every graphic includes 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 attempting to explain. Understanding what the look is for makes alt text easier to write. And exercise writing them definitely helps.
A method to check 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 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 as 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. If the information found in an image is essential to the concept of the page (i.e. some important content will be lost when the image was removed), a longer description compared to "alt" attribute can reasonably display ought to be used. It may offer 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 a long description of the image...The goal is by using any period of description necessary to impart the facts 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 holds true even for that totally blind."
Even though 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 are best just choosing your gut instinct -- if it's not essential to incorporate it, and if you don't have a strong urge to do it, don't add that longdesc.
However, if it's essential 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 the image and its context about the page.
The same image may need alt text (or title or longdesc) in one 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. However, if the image provides content or adds functional information an alt will be required and perhaps a long description would be in order. In many cases this kind of thing is a judgement call.
Image Search Engine Optimization Tips
Listed below 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 like a word separator, such as "brilliant-diamonds.jpg";
Label the file extension. For example, when the image search engine sees a ".jpg" (JPEG) file extension, it's likely to assume that the file is a photo, and if it sees a ".gif" (GIF) file extension, it's going to assume that it is a graphic;
Ensure that the text nearby the image that's highly relevant to that image.
Again, do not lose an excellent chance to help your site with your images searching engines. Use these steps to rank better on all of the engines and drive increased traffic to your site TODAY.
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