Nosebleedcity: Alt Attribute & Seo

SEO Optimization images is becoming more and more important in SEO (Search Engine Optimization) for websites. The ALT attribute is a critical step that is often overlooked. This is often 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 utilizing a human-readable caption and descriptive text around the image.

Why would they ask us to do that? The answer is simple, 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, trying to stuff it with keywords, hoping to achieve a particular keyword density, which isn't as relevant for rankings now as it was previously.

On the other hand, high keyword density can, on some search engines, trigger spam filters, which may result in a penalty for the site's ranking. Even without this type of penalty, your site's rankings won't take advantage of this tactic.
This process also puts persons who use screen readers at a greater disadvantage. Screen readers are software-based tools that actually 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 will 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 shouldn't be used like a description or a label to have an image, though lots of people use it in that fashion. Though it might seem 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 should be its text equivalent and convey exactly the same information or serve exactly the same purpose that 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 not available. Ask yourself this: If you were to replace the image using the text, would most users receive the same basic information, and wouldn't it create the same response?
Some examples:

Some SEO Optimization Tips

If your search button is really a magnifying glass or binoculars its alt text ought to be 'search' or 'find' not 'magnifying glass' or 'binoculars'.

If the image is supposed to convey the literal items in the look, a description is suitable.

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

If it's designed to convey using a function, then the 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 only a decorative role within 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 is the function of the image we're trying to convey. For instance; any button images shouldn't include the word "button" in the alt text. They ought to emphasize the action performed through the button.

Alt text should be based on context. 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's how it is going to be read with adaptive technologies like screen readers. Someone listening to 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 also the remainder of Europe. They are also 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 things that serve no purpose other than to make a site visually appealing/attractive and (in many cases) satisfy the marketing departments. There is no content value (though there might be value to some sighted user).

Never alt-ify eye-candy unless there's something there which 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 may serve to 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 is going on.

Attempt to alt-ify the 2nd group as makes sense and it is relevant. There might be times when doing this might be annoying or detrimental with other users. Then try to avoid it.

For example; Alt text that is just like adjacent text is unnecessary, as well as 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 all users.

Most times it depends on context. Exactly the same image in a different context may need drastically different alt text. Obviously, content should 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 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 need to figured out exactly what function an image serves. Consider what it's concerning the image that's vital that you the page's intended audience.

Every graphic includes a reason for standing on that page: since it either improves the theme/ mood/ atmosphere or it is advisable to what are the page is attempting to explain. Knowing what the image 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 is to imagine reading the page on the phone to someone. What would you say when encountering a specific image to create the page understandable to the listener?

Besides the alt attribute you've got a couple more tools at your disposal for images.
First, in degree of descriptiveness title is in between alt and longdesc. It adds useful information and can add flavor. The title attribute is optionally rendered by the user agent. Remember they're invisible and not shown like a "tooltip" when focus is received via the keyboard. (So much for device independence). So make use of the title attribute just for advisory information.
Second, the longdesc attribute points towards the URL of a complete description of the image. If the information found in a picture is essential to 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 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 goal is by using any length of description essential to impart the facts from the graphic.

It would not 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 that totally blind."

Although the alt attribute is mandatory for web accessibility and for valid (X)HTML, not every images need alternative text, long descriptions, or titles.

Oftentimes, you're better off just going with your gut instinct -- if it's not necessary to incorporate it, and if you don't have a strong urge to get it done, don't add that longdesc.

However, if it's necessary for the entire page to work, then you've to include the alt text (or title or longdesc).

What's necessary and what's not depends a great deal on the function of the image and it is context about 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 absolutely no content or functional information alt="" or background CSS images may 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 will be so as. In many cases this type of thing is really a judgement call.