What is an ALT Attribute?
This attribute is used for the img tag and is used as an ALTernative for non-visual browsers. Like if your website is browsed from a text reader or a browser that doesnot support images. The text present in the ALT attribute is shown. The ALT is an attribute, the text written in this attribute is the ALT text and the command in between “< .. >” is the ALT Tag.
<img src=”images/pet-dog.jpg” ALT=”My Pet Dog” />
My Pet Dog is the ALT Text here, ALT is the attribute and the whole “< .. >” is the tag.
However, People still don’t use this ALT attribute and infact some don’t even know about this thing. Though ALT Tag is a must for HTML valid websites now. This attribute also helps the user to see what the image is about, before loading.
How to use ALT Attribute:
<img src=”images/pet-dog.jpg” ALT=”My Pet Dog” />
SEO and the ALT Tag:
In case of Search Engine Optimization, the importance of ALT tag is lowered and is abused by some of the major Search Engines due to the Keyword Stuffing or filling ALT tag with streams of keywords. But it still helps !
SEO, WordPress and the ALT Tag:
If you are image lover or your Blog or Webpage uses large number of images. Obviously you would not like to add ALT Tag to each of the images, takes time and maybe useless for some. On my previous Blogs I used a Plugin for the ALT Tag and the results were really good.. you can give it a try!
SEO Friendly Images: Plugin Homepage
Tips for using the ALT Tag:
1. Be Breif:
Don’t write too much that looks like Keyword Flooding.
2. Be Clear:
Keeping the Point 1 in mind, don’t be too breif either.. Remember text-readers will show only the ALT tag instead of the image, so one may not understand what the image is about.
Lets say:
-A Cake -Good
-A Pineapple Cake – Great
-A Pineapple Cake with red cherries and chocolate toppings – Too much
3. Don’t display your site’s inner workings:
If you’re putting in spacer images, just use a space for your alt text. If you write “spacer.gif” it just calls attention to the site, rather than providing useful information. And technically, if you’re trying to write valid XHTML, you should use CSS rather than spacer images, so you might as well leave the alt text off of those images.
Got Suggestions or Questions ? – Comment Now !
August 1st, 2009 at 10:00 am
I do agree about your tip: “Don’t write too much that looks like Keyword Flooding.” — It’s better to keep it short and related to the images since search engines have their own search results for images. Keyword stuffing the ALT attribute may help at first but eventually it’s hurt your rankings.
[Reply]
August 30th, 2009 at 3:09 pm
doday i know alt has so many functions. Keyword stuffing the ALT attribute may help at first but eventually it’s hurt your rankings.many thanks
[Reply]
September 3rd, 2009 at 11:55 pm
So Trye.. Keyword stuffing the ALT attribute may help at first but eventually it’s hurt your rankings.
[Reply]
November 2nd, 2009 at 2:03 pm
Usually I add TITLE tags too instead of just ALT (because ALT wont appears on Mozilla like what TITLE does, try it out).
Hope this helps …
.-= AWT´s last blog ..TM6191 – Art Studio Flash Template =-.
[Reply]
January 8th, 2010 at 11:29 pm
I agree that ALT tags have increased and increased their influence on the SEO. But in my opinion this will gradually happen to most of the SEO tricks because google becomes more powerful everyday. But the other function of ALT tags is still useful.
[Reply]