SEO Optimization images has become more and more essential in SEO (Seo optimization) for websites. The ALT attribute is really a critical step that is sometimes forgotten. This can be a lost chance of better rankings.
In Google's webmaster guidelines, they advise using alternative text for that images on your web site:
Images:. Make use of the alt attribute to provide descriptive text. Additionally, 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 cannot begin to see the images.
Many webmasters and inexperienced or unethical SEOs abuse using this attribute, trying to stuff it with keywords, hoping to achieve a certain keyword density, which is not as relevant for rankings now as it once was.
On the contrary, high keyword density can, on some search engines, trigger spam filters, which might result in a penalty for the site's ranking. Even without this type of penalty, your site's rankings will not benefit from this tactic.
This process also puts persons who use screen readers at a greater disadvantage. Screen readers are software-based tools that really read aloud the contents of what is displayed on the screen. In browsing the web, the alt features of images are read aloud as well.
Imagine hearing a paragraph of text which is then repetitions of numerous keywords. The page would be far from accessible, and, to put it mildly, would be found quite annoying.
What is an Alt attribute?
An ALT attribute shouldn't 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 really a label or perhaps a description, it is not!
The words used within an image's alt attribute ought to be its text equivalent and convey exactly the same information or serve exactly 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 function as a "stand in" in the event that the image is not available. Ask yourself this: 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 a search button is really a magnifying glass or binoculars its alt text should be 'search' or 'find' not 'magnifying glass' or 'binoculars'.
If an image is supposed to convey the literal items in the look, then a description is suitable.
If it is designed to convey data, then that data is what's appropriate.
If it is designed to convey the use of a function, then your function is what ought to 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 within the page, use an empty alt (i.e. alt="") or a CSS background image so that reading browsers do not bother users by uttering things like "spacer image".
Remember that it is the function from the image we are trying to convey. For example; any button images should not 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. Exactly the same image in a different context may require drastically different alt text.
Try to flow alt text with the rest from the text because that's how it will 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 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 remainder 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 things that serve no purpose other than to make a site visually appealing/attractive and (oftentimes) fulfill the marketing departments. There isn't any content value (though there may be value to a sighted user).
Never alt-ify eye-candy unless there is something there that 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 mood or set happens so to speak. These graphics are not direct content and could not be considered essential, but they're important in they help frame what's going on.
Attempt to alt-ify the second group as makes sense and it is relevant. There may be instances when doing this might be annoying or detrimental to other users. Then avoid it.
For instance; Alt text that's just like adjacent text is unnecessary, and an irritant to screen reader users. I recommend alt="" or background CSS images in such cases. But sometimes, it's important to understand this content in there for all users.
Most times this will depend on context. Exactly the same image in a different context may need drastically different alt text. Obviously, content ought to always be fully available. The way you go in this example is 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 images are there. You have to figured out 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: since it either enhances the theme/ mood/ atmosphere or it is advisable to what the page is trying to describe. Understanding what the image is for makes alt text simpler to write. And practice writing them definitely helps.
A method to look into the usefulness of alternative text would be to imagine reading the page on the phone to someone. An amount you say when encountering a particular image to create the page understandable to the listener?
Aside from the alt attribute you've got a couple more tools available 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 never shown as a "tooltip" when focus is received via the keyboard. (A lot for device independence). So make use of the title attribute only for advisory information.
Second, the longdesc attribute points towards the URL of a complete description of an image. If the information found in a picture is essential towards the meaning 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 provide for rich, expressive documentation of a visual image.
It ought to 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 aim 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 - in the mind's eye, an analogy that is true even for the 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're best just going with your gut instinct -- if it's not essential to incorporate it, and when you don't have a strong urge to get it done, don't include that longdesc.
However, if it's essential 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 lot on the function of the image and it is context on the page.
The same image may require alt text (or title or longdesc) in a single spot, although not in another. If the 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 will be required and perhaps even a long description would be so as. In many cases this type of thing is a judgement call.
Image Seo optimization Tips
Listed below are key steps 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. Avoid using 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 that the file is a photo, and when it sees a ".gif" (GIF) file extension, it's going to assume that it is a graphic;
Ensure that the written text nearby the image that is relevant to that image.
Again, do not lose a great chance to help your website 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.
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