SEO Optimization images is becoming increasingly more essential in SEO (Search Engine 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 the images on your web site:
Images:. Use the alt attribute to provide descriptive text. Additionally, we recommend using a human-readable caption and descriptive text round the image.
Why would they ask us to do that? The answer is easy, really; search engines have the same problem as blind users. They can't begin to see the images.
Many webmasters and inexperienced or unethical SEOs abuse using this attribute, attempting to stuff it with keywords, looking to achieve a certain keyword density, which is not as relevant for rankings now as it once was.
On the other hand, high keyword density can, on some search engines, trigger spam filters, which might create a penalty for your site's ranking. Even without this type of penalty, your site's rankings won't take advantage of this plan.
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 net, the alt features of images are read aloud as well.
Imagine hearing 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 mildly, would be found quite annoying.
What exactly 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 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 ought to be its text equivalent and convey exactly the same information or serve the same purpose the image would.
The goal would be to provide 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 is unavailable. Ask yourself this: If you were to replace the look using the text, would most users receive the same basic information, and would it generate the same response?
Some examples:
Some SEO Optimization Tips
If a search button is 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 items in the image, then 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 your function is what ought to be used.
Some Alt Attribute Guidelines:
Always add alt attributes to images. Alt is mandatory for accessibility and for valid XHTML.
For images that play only a decorative role within 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".
Keep in mind that it is the function of the image we are attempting to convey. For example; any button images should not include the word "button" within the alt text. They should emphasize the action performed by the button.
Alt text ought to be determined by context. The same image in a different context may need 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 hearing your page should hardly remember that a graphic image is there.
Please keep in mind that using an alt attribute for each image is required to satisfy the minimum WAI requirements, which are used since the benchmark for accessibility laws in UK and the rest 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 make a site visually appealing/attractive and (oftentimes) satisfy 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 which will enhance the usability from the site for someone utilizing 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 as it were. These graphics aren't direct content and may 't be considered essential, but they're essential in that they help frame what is going on.
Try to alt-ify the second group as is sensible and it is relevant. There might be times when doing this may be annoying or detrimental with other users. Then try to avoid it.
For example; Alt text that's just like adjacent text is unnecessary, as well as an irritant to screen reader users. I recommend alt="" or background CSS images in such instances. But sometimes, it's important to get this content inside for those users.
Most times it depends on context. The same image in a different context may require drastically different alt text. Obviously, content ought to always be fully available. How you go in this case is 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 understand why their alt text isn't working is that they don't know why the pictures exist. You need to figured out precisely what function an image serves. Consider what it's about the image that's important to the page's intended audience.
Every graphic includes a reason for standing on that page: because it either enhances the theme/ mood/ atmosphere or it is advisable to what are the page is attempting to describe. Understanding what the image is 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 over the telephone to someone. What would you say when encountering a specific image to make 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 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 via the keyboard. (So much for device independence). So make use of the title attribute only for advisory information.
Second, the longdesc attribute points towards the URL of a full description of an image. If the information contained in a picture is important to the meaning of the page (i.e. some important content would 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 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 an image...The goal is by using any period of description necessary to impart the details of the graphic.
It would not be remiss to hope that a long description conjures an image - the look - within the mind's eye, an analogy that holds true even for that 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.
In many cases, you're best just going with your gut instinct -- if it's not essential to include 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 entire page to operate, 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 your image and it is context on 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 may be appropriate to use. But if the image provides content or adds functional information an alt would be required and perhaps even a long description will be so as. Oftentimes this kind of thing is a judgement call.
Image Search Engine Optimization Tips
Listed below are key steps in optimizing images:
Select 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, such as "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 really a photo, and when it sees a ".gif" (GIF) file extension, it's likely to assume that it is graphic;
Ensure that the written text at the image that's relevant to that image.
Again, do not lose an excellent opportunity to help your website with your images searching engines. Use these steps to rank better on all the engines and drive more traffic for your site TODAY.
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