SEO Optimization images is becoming increasingly more important in SEO (Search Engine Optimization) for websites. The ALT attribute is 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 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 a similar problem as blind users. They can't 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 is not as relevant for rankings now since it was previously.
On the other hand, high keyword density can, on some search engines like google, trigger spam filters, which might result in a penalty for your site's ranking. Even without this type of penalty, your site's rankings won't 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 actually read aloud the contents of what's displayed 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 followed by repetitions of numerous keywords. The page would be not even close to accessible, and, to put it bluntly, will be found quite annoying.
What is an Alt attribute?
An ALT attribute should not be used like a description or perhaps a label to have an image, though many people utilize it in that fashion. Though it may appear natural to assume that alternate text is a label or a description, it's not!
What used inside an image's alt attribute ought to be its text equivalent and convey the same information or serve the same purpose that the image would.
The goal is to supply the same functional information that a visual user would see. The alt attribute text should be the "stand in" in the event that the image itself is not available. Ask yourself this: Should you replace the look with the text, would most users receive the same basic information, and wouldn't it create the same response?
Some 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 supposed to convey the literal items in the image, then a description is appropriate.
If it is meant to convey data, then that information is what is appropriate.
If it's meant to convey the use of a function, then the function is what ought to 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 in the page, use an empty alt (i.e. alt="") or perhaps a CSS background image so that reading browsers do not bother users by uttering things like "spacer image".
Remember that it is the function of the image we're trying to convey. For example; any button images shouldn't range from the word "button" in the alt text. They ought to emphasize the action performed by the button.
Alt text ought to 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 rest from the text because that's 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 keep in mind that using an alt attribute for each image is needed to meet the minimum WAI requirements, which 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 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 stuff that serve no purpose apart from to make a site visually appealing/attractive and (in many cases) fulfill the marketing departments. There isn't any content value (though there might be value to some sighted user).
Never alt-ify eye-candy unless there's something there that will enhance 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 actually the middle layer of graphics which might actually set the mood or set the stage so to speak. These graphics aren't direct content and may 't be considered essential, but they're important in that they help frame what is going on.
Try to alt-ify the second group as is sensible and is relevant. There might be instances when doing so may be annoying or detrimental to other users. Then avoid it.
For example; Alt text that is just like adjacent text is unnecessary, as well as an irritant to screen reader users. I suggest alt="" or background CSS images in such instances. But sometimes, it's vital that you get this content inside for all users.
Most times 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 go in this example is really 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 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 exist. You have to determined precisely what function a picture serves. Think about what it is concerning the image that's vital that you the page's intended audience.
Every graphic includes a reason behind being on that page: since it either enhances the theme/ mood/ atmosphere or it is advisable to what are the page is trying to describe. Knowing what the look is perfect for makes alt text easier to write. And exercise writing them definitely helps.
A way 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 particular image to make the page understandable towards the listener?
Besides the alt attribute you have a couple more tools available for images.
First, in degree of descriptiveness title is in between alt and longdesc. It adds useful information and can add flavor. The title attribute is optionally rendered by the user agent. Remember they are invisible and never shown like a "tooltip" when focus is received via the keyboard. (A lot for device independence). So use the title attribute only for advisory information.
Second, the longdesc attribute points to the Link to a complete description of an image. When the information contained in an image is essential towards the meaning of the page (i.e. some important content will be lost when the image was removed), an extended description compared to "alt" attribute can reasonably display ought to be used. It may 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 an image. As Clark [1] states, "A longdesc is a long description of an image...The goal is to use any period of description necessary to impart the facts of the graphic.
It wouldn't be remiss to hope that a long description conjures an image - the image - within the mind's eye, an analogy that holds true even for the totally blind."
Even though alt attribute is mandatory for web accessibility and for valid (X)HTML, not all images need alternative text, long descriptions, or titles.
Oftentimes, 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 include that longdesc.
However, if it's necessary for the entire page to operate, then you have to add the alt text (or title or longdesc).
What's necessary and what's not depends a great deal on the function of your image and it is context on the page.
Exactly 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 may be appropriate to use. But if the image provides content or adds functional information an alt will be required and maybe a long description will be so as. In many cases this kind of thing is a judgement call.
Image Search Engine Optimization Tips
Listed here are key stages in optimizing images:
Select 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. Stay away from underscores like 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 likely to assume the file is a photo, and when it sees a ".gif" (GIF) file extension, it's going to assume that it is graphic;
Make sure that the text at the image that is highly relevant to that image.
Again, don't lose a great opportunity to help your website together with your images in search engines. Begin using these steps to rank better on all the engines and drive more traffic for your site TODAY.
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