Mfarmam: Alt Attribute & SEO Optimization

SEO Optimization images has become more and 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 using alternative text for the images in your web 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 achieve that? The answer is easy, 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, trying to stuff it with keywords, hoping to achieve a certain keyword density, which isn't as relevant for rankings now since it was previously.

On the other hand, high keyword density can, on some search engines like google, trigger spam filters, which might create a penalty for the site's ranking. Even without this type of penalty, your site's rankings won't 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's displayed on the screen. In browsing the net, the alt attributes of images are read aloud too.

Imagine hearing a paragraph of text which is then repetitions of numerous keywords. The page would be far from accessible, and, to put it bluntly, would be found quite annoying.
What exactly is an Alt attribute?

An ALT attribute shouldn't be used as a description or a label for an image, though many people use it for the reason that fashion. Though it might seem natural to assume that alternate text is really a label or a description, it is not!

What used inside an image's alt attribute ought to be its text equivalent and convey exactly the same information or serve the same purpose the image would.

The goal is to supply the same functional information that a visual user would see. The alt attribute text should function as a "stand in" when the look itself is not available. Think about this question: Should you 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 the image is meant to convey the literal contents of the look, a description is appropriate.

If it's designed to convey data, then that information is what is appropriate.

If it's designed to convey the use of 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 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 don't bother users by uttering things like "spacer image".

Keep in mind that it is the function from the image we are trying to convey. For example; any button images should not include the word "button" in the alt text. They should emphasize the action performed by the button.

Alt text ought to be determined by context. Exactly the same image inside a different context may require drastically different alt text.

Try to flow alt text with the rest from the text because that's the way it will be read with adaptive technologies like screen readers. Someone hearing your page should hardly be aware 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, which are used as the benchmark for accessibility laws in UK and the remainder of Europe. Also, they are necessary 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 apart from to create 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 which will enhance the usability from the site for someone utilizing 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 may actually set the atmosphere or set happens as it were. These graphics aren't direct content and could not be considered essential, but they are important in they help frame what's going on.

Try to alt-ify the 2nd group as is sensible and is relevant. There may be times when doing so may be annoying or detrimental with other users. Then try to avoid it.

For instance; Alt text that is identical to adjacent text is unnecessary, and an irritant to screen reader users. I suggest alt="" or background CSS images in such instances. But sometimes, it's vital that you understand this content inside for those users.

Most times this will depend on context. Exactly the same image inside a different context may need drastically different alt text. Obviously, content ought to always be fully available. The way you use 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 figure out why their alt text isn't working is they don't know why the pictures are there. You have to figured out precisely what function a picture serves. Think about what it's about the image that's important to 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 critical 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 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 make the page understandable towards the listener?

Besides the alt attribute you've got a couple more tools available for images.
First, in degree of descriptiveness title is in 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 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 URL of a full description of an image. When the information contained in a picture is important towards the meaning 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 the visual image.

It ought to be used when alt and title are insufficient to embody the visual qualities of the image. As Clark [1] states, "A longdesc is a long description of an image...The goal is to use any period of description essential to impart the facts of the graphic.

It wouldn't be remiss to hope that the long description conjures a picture - the look - 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 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 incorporate it, and when you don't possess a strong urge to get it done, don't include that longdesc.

However, if it's necessary for the entire page to operate, 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.

The same image may need alt text (or title or longdesc) in a single spot, although 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 will be required and perhaps a long description would be so as. In many cases this kind of thing is really a judgement call.