SEO Optimization images has become increasingly more important in SEO (Seo optimization) for websites. The ALT attribute is really a critical step that is often overlooked. This can be a lost opportunity for better rankings.
In Google's webmaster guidelines, they advise the use of alternative text for that images in your site:
Images:. Use 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 achieve that? The answer is simple, really; search engines like google have a similar problem as blind users. They can't begin to 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 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 like google, 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 method 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 is shown on the screen. In browsing the net, the alt attributes of images are read aloud too.
Imagine listening to a paragraph of text that is followed by repetitions of numerous keywords. The page would be not even close to accessible, and, to put it bluntly, would be found quite annoying.
What is an Alt attribute?
An ALT attribute should not be used like a description or a label to have an image, though many people use it for the reason that fashion. Though it might seem natural to assume that alternate text is a label or a description, it is not!
The words used within an image's alt attribute should be its text equivalent and convey exactly the same information or serve the same purpose the image would.
The thing is to supply the same functional information that a visual user would see. The alt attribute text should function as a "stand in" in the event that the look itself is unavailable. Ask yourself this: If you were to replace the image with the text, would most users receive the same basic information, and would it generate 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 contents of the look, a description is suitable.
If it's meant to convey data, then that information is what's appropriate.
If it is designed to convey the use of 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 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 such things as "spacer image".
Remember that it's the function from the image we're trying to convey. For instance; 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 determined by context. The same image inside a different context may need drastically different alt text.
Attempt to flow alt text with the rest from the text because that is the way it will be read with adaptive technologies like screen readers. Someone listening to your page should hardly remember that a graphic image can there be.
Please keep in mind that using an alt attribute for each 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. They are also 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 things that serve no purpose other than to create a site visually appealing/attractive and (oftentimes) fulfill the marketing departments. There is no content value (though there might be value to some sighted user).
Never alt-ify eye-candy unless there is something there which will enhance the usability from 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 are important in that they help frame what is going on.
Try to alt-ify the second group as makes sense and 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 identical to 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 vital that you get this content in there for all users.
Usually this will depend on context. Exactly the same image inside a different context may require drastically different alt text. Obviously, content ought to always be fully available. The way you use this case 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 so as.
The main reason many authors can't figure out why their alt text isn't working is they don't know why the pictures are there. You have to figured out exactly 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 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. Understanding what the image is perfect for makes alt text easier to write. And exercise 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. What would you say when encountering a particular image to create the page understandable towards the listener?
Besides the alt attribute you've got 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 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 through the keyboard. (A lot for device independence). So make use of the title attribute just for advisory information.
Second, the longdesc attribute points towards the Link to a complete description of an image. If the information found in an image is essential to 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 should be used. It can provide for 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 the image...The aim is by using any length of description necessary to impart the details 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 as well as for valid (X)HTML, not all images need alternative text, long descriptions, or titles.
In many cases, you're better off just going with your gut instinct -- if it's not necessary 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 entire page to operate, then you have to include the alt text (or title or longdesc).
What's necessary and what's not depends a great deal about the function of your image and it is context about the page.
Exactly the same image may require alt text (or title or longdesc) in a single spot, although not in another. If the image provides simply no content or functional information alt="" or background CSS images might be appropriate to use. However, if the image provides content or adds functional information an alt would be required and maybe even a long description will be so as. Oftentimes this kind of thing is really a judgement call.
Image Seo optimization Tips
Listed below 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. 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 going to assume that 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;
Ensure that the text at the image that's highly relevant to that image.
Again, do not lose an excellent opportunity to help your site together with your images in search engines. Use these steps to rank better on all the engines and drive more traffic for your site TODAY.
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