SEO Optimization images has become increasingly more essential 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 that images on your site:
Images:. Make use of the alt attribute to provide descriptive text. In addition, we recommend utilizing a human-readable caption and descriptive text round 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 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 is not as relevant for rankings now since it was previously.
On the other hand, high keyword density can, on some search engines, trigger spam filters, which might create a penalty for your site's ranking. Even without this type of penalty, your site's rankings won't benefit from this plan.
This process also puts persons who use screen readers at a greater disadvantage. Screen readers are software-based tools that actually read aloud the items in what's 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 mildly, would be found quite annoying.
What exactly is an Alt attribute?
An ALT attribute should not be used as a description or a label for an image, though lots of people utilize it for the reason that fashion. Although it may appear natural to assume that alternate text is really a label or perhaps a description, it's not!
The words used within an image's alt attribute should be its text equivalent and convey exactly the same information or serve exactly 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" in the event that the look is not available. Think about this question: If you were to replace the look using the text, would most users receive the same basic information, and wouldn't it create the same response?
A few examples:
Some SEO Optimization Tips
If your 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 supposed to convey the literal contents of the look, then a description is appropriate.
If it's meant to convey data, then that information is what is appropriate.
If it is designed to convey using 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 and for valid XHTML.
For images that play only a decorative role in the page, make use of an empty alt (i.e. alt="") or perhaps a CSS background image to ensure that reading browsers do not bother users by uttering such things as "spacer image".
Remember that it's the function from the image we are attempting to convey. For example; any button images shouldn't include the word "button" within the alt text. They should emphasize the action performed through the button.
Alt text ought to be based on context. Exactly the same image in a different context may require drastically different alt text.
Try to flow alt text with the remainder of 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 needed to satisfy the minimum WAI requirements, that are used as the benchmark for accessibility laws in UK and the remainder of Europe. Also, they are required to meet "Section 508" accessibility requirements in america.
It is important 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 might be value to some sighted user).
Never alt-ify eye-candy unless there's something there that will boost the usability of 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 actually the middle layer of graphics which may actually set the atmosphere or set happens so to speak. These graphics are not direct content and may not be considered essential, but they are essential in they help frame what's going on.
Attempt to alt-ify the second group as is sensible and is relevant. There might be instances when doing this might be annoying or detrimental to other users. Then try to avoid it.
For instance; Alt text that is just like adjacent text is unnecessary, as well as 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 those users.
Most times this will depend on context. Exactly the same image in a different context may require 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 may also be so as.
The 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 exactly what function an image serves. Think about what it's concerning the image that's important to the page's intended audience.
Every graphic includes a reason behind standing on that page: since it either improves the theme/ mood/ atmosphere or it is advisable to what are the page is attempting to describe. Understanding what the image is 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 on the phone to someone. What would you say when encountering a specific image to make the page understandable to the listener?
Besides the alt attribute you have a couple more tools available for images.
First, in degree of descriptiveness title is within between alt and longdesc. It adds useful information and may add flavor. The title attribute is optionally rendered through the user agent. Remember they are invisible and never shown like a "tooltip" when focus is received through 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 full description of an image. If the information found in a picture is essential to the concept of the page (i.e. some important content will be lost if the image was removed), an extended description compared to "alt" attribute can reasonably display should be used. It can 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 really a long description of an image...The aim is to use any period of description essential to impart the details of the graphic.
It would not be remiss to hope that a long description conjures an image - the look - in the mind's eye, an analogy that holds true even for that 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 are better off just going with your gut instinct -- if it's not necessary to incorporate it, and if you don't possess a strong urge to get it done, don't include that longdesc.
However, if it's essential for the entire page to operate, then you've to add the alt text (or title or longdesc).
What's necessary and what's not depends a great deal about the function of the image and it is context on the page.
Exactly the same image may require 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 use. But if the image provides content or adds functional information an alt would be required and perhaps even a long description will be in order. In many cases this kind of thing is a judgement call.
Image Seo optimization Tips
Listed here 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. Stay away from underscores like a word separator, like for example "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 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 written text at the image that's highly relevant to that image.
Again, do not lose a great chance to help your site with your images in search engines. Use these steps to position better on all the engines and drive increased traffic for your site TODAY.
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