How to Use Alt Text for Image SEO

What is Alt Text?

Alt text, short for alternative text, is a textual description that can be added to an image tag in HTML. It serves several purposes, including accessibility for visually impaired users and improving SEO by providing search engines with context about the content of an image.

Importance of Alt Text for SEO

1. Accessibility:
   • Alt text helps visually impaired users understand the content of images when using screen readers.
   • It ensures a better user experience and compliance with accessibility standards.
2. SEO Benefits:
   • Search engines cannot “see” images; they rely on alt text to understand and index images appropriately.
   • Optimized alt text can improve image search rankings and overall SEO for relevant keywords.

Best Practices for Writing Alt Text

1. Be Descriptive and Specific:
   • Describe the content and function of the image accurately and concisely.
   • Include relevant keywords naturally, but avoid keyword stuffing.
2. Keep it Concise:
   • Aim for a brief description (1-2 sentences) that conveys the essential information.
   • Avoid overly long alt text that may dilute its effectiveness.
3. Focus on Context:
   • Consider the context of the surrounding content and ensure the alt text complements it.
   • Describe the image in a way that adds value to the reader’s understanding.
4. Include Keywords Appropriately:
   • Incorporate relevant keywords that describe the image and align with your SEO strategy.
   • Ensure keywords are relevant and naturally integrated into the alt text.
5. Avoid Keyword Stuffing:
   • Do not overuse keywords or include unrelated keywords in alt text.
   • Write for human users first, ensuring clarity and relevance.

When to Use Alt Text

1. Decorative Images:
   • For images that are purely decorative and do not convey meaningful content, use empty alt text (alt=””).
   • This informs screen readers that the image is not essential for understanding the page content.
2. Functional Images:
   • Describe images that serve a specific function, such as buttons or links, with clear and actionable alt text.
   • Include the purpose of the image in the alt text to guide users effectively.
3. Informative Images:
   • Images that provide information or illustrate concepts should have descriptive alt text.
   • Ensure the alt text accurately reflects the image’s content and context.

Implementing Alt Text in HTML

<img src="image.jpg" alt="Brief description of the image">

• Replace "Brief description of the image" with your specific alt text.
• Use HTML attributes to specify alt text within the <img> tag.

Tips for Optimizing Alt Text

1. Review Existing Alt Text:
   • Audit your website to ensure all images have descriptive and optimized alt text.
   • Update alt text for older images to improve SEO and accessibility.
2. Use CMS Features:
   • Content Management Systems (CMS) often have built-in features for adding alt text to images.
   • Take advantage of these tools to streamline alt text optimization across your website.
3. Monitor Image SEO Performance:
   • Use tools like Google Search Console to track image search performance and identify opportunities for improvement.
   • Analyze which images are driving traffic and optimize alt text accordingly.

Conclusion

Alt text is a critical element of image SEO and accessibility, providing both users and search engines with valuable information about the content of images. By following best practices such as writing descriptive, concise alt text, incorporating relevant keywords, and ensuring accessibility compliance, you can enhance your website’s SEO performance and improve user experience. Regularly review and optimize alt text across your website to maintain SEO effectiveness and accessibility standards.