SEO Optimization images is becoming more and more essential in SEO (Seo 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 the images in your site:
Images:. Use the alt attribute to supply descriptive text. In addition, we recommend using a human-readable caption and descriptive text round the image.
Why would they ask us to achieve that? The answer is easy, really; search engines like google have a similar 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 particular keyword density, which isn't as relevant for rankings now as it was previously.
On the contrary, high keyword density can, on some search engines, trigger spam filters, which might create a penalty for the site's ranking. Even without such a penalty, your site's rankings will not benefit from this plan.
This method 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's shown on the screen. In browsing the net, 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 bluntly, would be found quite annoying.
What exactly is an Alt attribute?
An ALT attribute should not be used like a description or perhaps a label to have an image, though lots of people utilize it for the reason that fashion. Though it might seem natural to assume that alternate text is a label or a description, it's not!
What used inside an image's alt attribute should be its text equivalent and convey exactly the same information or serve the same purpose that the image would.
The goal would be to supply 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 look is unavailable. Ask yourself this: If you were to replace the look with the text, would most users get the same basic information, and would it create the same response?
A few 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 meant to convey the literal contents of the look, then a description is suitable.
If it's meant to convey data, then that information is what's appropriate.
If it's designed to convey using a function, then the function itself 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 only a decorative role within the page, make use of an empty alt (i.e. alt="") or a CSS background image to ensure that reading browsers do not bother users by uttering such things as "spacer image".
Keep in mind that it's the function of the image we're trying to convey. For instance; any button images should not include the word "button" in the alt text. They ought to emphasize the action performed by the button.
Alt text should be based on context. Exactly the same image inside a different context may require drastically different alt text.
Attempt to flow alt text with the rest from the text because that is how it is going to be read with adaptive technologies like screen readers. Someone hearing your page should hardly be aware that a graphic image is there.
Please keep in mind that utilizing an alt attribute for each image is needed to meet the minimum WAI requirements, that are used as the benchmark for accessibility laws in UK and the remainder of Europe. They are also 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 stuff 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 might be value to some sighted user).
Never alt-ify eye-candy unless there's 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 the middle layer of graphics which might serve to set the atmosphere or set happens as it were. These graphics are not direct content and could 't be considered essential, but they're important in they help frame what's going on.
Try to alt-ify the second group as is sensible and is relevant. There may be times when doing this might be annoying or detrimental with other users. Then try to avoid it.
For example; Alt text that is identical to adjacent text is unnecessary, as well as an irritant to screen reader users. I suggest alt="" or background CSS images in such cases. But sometimes, it's vital that you understand this content inside for those users.
Usually this will depend on context. 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 case is a judgment call.
III. Content and Function
This is when the look is the actual content. Always alt-ify content and functional images. Title and long description attributes can also be so as.
The reason many authors can't understand 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 a picture serves. Consider what it's about the image that's important to 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 advisable to what are the page is trying to describe. Understanding what the look is for makes alt text simpler to write. And practice writing them definitely helps.
A way to look into the usefulness of alternative text is to imagine reading the page over the telephone to someone. What would you say when encountering a particular 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 in between alt and longdesc. It adds useful information and can add flavor. The title attribute is optionally rendered through the user agent. Remember they're invisible and never shown like 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 Link to a complete description of an image. When the information found in a picture is important 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 a visual image.
It should be used when alt and title are insufficient to embody the visual qualities of the image. As Clark [1] states, "A longdesc is really a long description of an image...The goal is by using any period of description essential to impart the facts of the graphic.
It wouldn't be remiss to hope that a long description conjures a picture - the image - 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 every images need alternative text, long descriptions, or titles.
Oftentimes, you're better off just choosing your gut instinct -- if it's not essential to include it, and when you don't possess a strong urge to get it done, don't add that longdesc.
However, if it's essential for the whole page to work, then you have to add the alt text (or title or longdesc).
What's necessary and what's not depends a lot about the function of your image and its context about the page.
Exactly the same image may require alt text (or title or longdesc) in one spot, although not in another. If an image provides absolutely no content or functional information alt="" or background CSS images might be appropriate to use. But if the image provides content or adds functional information an alt will be required and maybe even a long description would be in order. Oftentimes this kind of thing is a judgement call.
Image Search Engine Optimization Tips
Listed below are key stages in optimizing images:
Select a logical file name that reinforces the keywords. You can use hyphens within the file name to isolate the keyword, but avoid to exceeding two hyphens. Stay away from underscores like a word separator, such as "brilliant-diamonds.jpg";
Label the file extension. For instance, if the image internet search engine sees a ".jpg" (JPEG) file extension, it's likely to assume the file is really a photo, and when it sees a ".gif" (GIF) file extension, it's likely to assume that it is a graphic;
Make sure that the written text nearby the image that's highly relevant to that image.
Again, don't 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 for your site TODAY.
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