Best Coffee: Alt Attribute & SEO Optimization

SEO Optimization images is becoming 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 web site:

Images:. Make use of the alt attribute to supply descriptive text. Additionally, we recommend using 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 have the same problem as blind users. They cannot begin to see the images.

Many webmasters and inexperienced or unethical SEOs abuse the use of this attribute, attempting to stuff it with keywords, looking to achieve a certain 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 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 plan.
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's shown on the screen. In browsing the net, the alt attributes of images are read aloud as well.

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

An ALT attribute should not be used as a description or a label for an image, though lots of 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's not!

The words used inside an image's alt attribute ought to be its text equivalent and convey exactly the same information or serve exactly 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" when the look is not available. Think about this: If you were to replace the image with the text, would most users get the same basic information, and wouldn't it create the same response?
A few 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 an image is supposed to convey the literal contents of the look, then a description is suitable.

If it is 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 and for valid XHTML.

For images that play only a decorative role in the page, make use of an empty alt (i.e. alt="") or perhaps a CSS background image to ensure that reading browsers don't bother users by uttering such things as "spacer image".

Remember that it's the function of the image we're trying to convey. For example; 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 ought to be determined by context. Exactly 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 is going to 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 required to satisfy the minimum WAI requirements, that are used since the benchmark for accessibility laws in UK and also the remainder of Europe. They are also necessary to meet "Section 508" accessibility requirements in the US.

It is useful 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 (oftentimes) satisfy the marketing departments. There is no content value (though there may be value to some sighted user).

Never alt-ify eye-candy unless there's something there which will enhance the usability from the site for somebody 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 the middle layer of graphics which might serve to set the mood or set the stage 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 2nd group as makes sense and it is relevant. There may be instances when doing so might be annoying or detrimental to other users. Then avoid it.

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

Most times it depends on context. The same image inside a different context may need drastically different alt text. Obviously, content should always be fully available. How you go in this example is really a judgment call.

III. Content and Function

This is when the image is the actual content. Always alt-ify content and functional images. Title and long description attributes can also be in order.
The main reason many authors can't figure out why their alt text isn't working is that they don't know why the images exist. You need to figured out precisely what function a picture serves. Consider what it is concerning the image that's vital that you the page's intended audience.

Every graphic has a reason behind being on that page: since it either improves the theme/ mood/ atmosphere or it is advisable to what are the page is trying to explain. Understanding what the look is perfect for makes alt text easier to write. And exercise writing them definitely helps.
A method to check the usefulness of alternative text would be to imagine reading the page on the phone to someone. An amount 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 level of descriptiveness title is within between alt and longdesc. It adds useful information and may add flavor. The title attribute is optionally rendered through the user agent. Remember they are invisible and not shown like a "tooltip" when focus is received through the keyboard. (So much for device independence). So use 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 found in an image is essential towards the concept of the page (i.e. some important content would 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 should 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 length of description essential to impart the details of the graphic.

It wouldn't be remiss to hope that the long description conjures an image - the image - in 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 going with your gut instinct -- if it's not necessary to include it, and when you don't possess a strong urge to do it, don't add that longdesc.

However, if it's necessary for the whole page to operate, then you have to include the alt text (or title or longdesc).

What's necessary and what's not depends a lot on the function of the 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 might be appropriate to make use of. However, if the image provides content or adds functional information an alt would be required and perhaps even a long description will be so as. In many cases this kind of thing is a judgement call.