SEO Optimization images is becoming increasingly more important in SEO (Seo optimization) for websites. The ALT attribute is really a critical step that is sometimes forgotten. This is often a lost chance of better rankings.
In Google's webmaster guidelines, they advise the use of alternative text for the images on your site:
Images:. Use the alt attribute to provide descriptive text. In addition, we recommend using a human-readable caption and descriptive text around the image.
Why would they ask us to do that? The answer is easy, really; search engines like google have the same problem as blind users. They can't see the images.
Many webmasters and inexperienced or unethical SEOs abuse using 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 once was.
On the contrary, high keyword density can, on some search engines, trigger spam filters, which may result in a penalty for the site's ranking. Even without such a penalty, your site's rankings will not take advantage of this tactic.
This process also puts persons who use screen readers in a greater disadvantage. Screen readers are software-based tools that really read aloud the contents of what's displayed on the screen. In browsing the web, the alt attributes of images are read aloud as well.
Imagine listening to a paragraph of text which is then repetitions of many keywords. The page would be not even close to accessible, and, to put it mildly, would be found quite annoying.
What is an Alt attribute?
An ALT attribute shouldn't be used as a description or perhaps a label to have an image, though many people utilize it for the reason that fashion. Though it might seem natural to assume that alternate text is really a label or a description, it's not!
What 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 function as a "stand in" when the image is unavailable. Ask yourself this question: If you were to replace the look with the text, would most users receive the same basic information, and would it create 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 items in the look, then a description is appropriate.
If it's designed to convey data, then that data is what's appropriate.
If it's designed to convey the use of 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 perhaps a CSS background image so that reading browsers don't bother users by uttering things like "spacer image".
Keep in mind that it is the function from the image we are attempting to convey. For example; any button images should not range from the word "button" within the alt text. They should emphasize the action performed by the button.
Alt text ought to be based on context. Exactly the same image in a different context may need drastically different alt text.
Attempt to flow alt text with the remainder from the text because that is how it is going to be read with adaptive technologies like screen readers. Someone listening to your page should hardly be aware that a graphic image can there be.
Please keep in mind that utilizing an alt attribute for every image is required to satisfy the minimum WAI requirements, that are used as the benchmark for accessibility laws in UK and the remainder of Europe. They are also necessary 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 make a site visually appealing/attractive and (in many cases) satisfy 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 that will boost the usability of the site for someone 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 aren't direct content and could not be considered essential, but they are important in that they help frame what is going on.
Try to alt-ify the second group as is sensible and it is relevant. There might be instances when doing so may be annoying or detrimental to other users. Then avoid it.
For instance; Alt text that's identical to adjacent text is unnecessary, as well as an irritant to screen reader users. I recommend alt="" or background CSS images in such cases. But sometimes, it's vital that you understand this content in there for those users.
Usually this will depend on context. Exactly 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 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 they don't know why the pictures exist. You need to figured out precisely what function an image 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 attempting to explain. Understanding what the look is perfect for makes alt text simpler to write. And exercise writing them definitely helps.
A way 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 to the listener?
Aside from 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 may add flavor. The title attribute is optionally rendered by the user agent. Remember they're invisible and not shown like 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 to the URL of a complete description of an image. If the information contained in a picture is essential towards the concept of the page (i.e. some important content will be lost if the image was removed), a longer description compared to "alt" attribute can reasonably display ought to be used. It can offer 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 really a long description of the image...The goal is by using any period of description necessary to impart the details of the graphic.
It would not be remiss to hope that the long description conjures an image - the look - within the mind's eye, an analogy that is true even for the totally blind."
Even though alt attribute is mandatory for web accessibility as well as for valid (X)HTML, not all images need alternative text, long descriptions, or titles.
In many cases, you're best 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 include that longdesc.
However, if it's necessary for the whole page to work, then you've 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 its context about the page.
Exactly the same image may need alt text (or title or longdesc) in a single spot, but not in another. If an image provides absolutely no content or functional information alt="" or background CSS images might be appropriate to make use of. However, if the image provides content or adds functional information an alt would be required and maybe a long description will be in order. Oftentimes this type of thing is a judgement call.
Image Seo optimization Tips
Listed here 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, 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 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 is relevant to that image.
Again, do not lose a great chance to help your website together with your images in search engines. Use these steps to rank better on all the engines and drive more traffic to your site TODAY.
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