SEO FAQ: Image ALT Attributes

Since search engines cannot see or “read” graphics, photos or image files, it is important to relate the text of the content to the search engines through an Alt Attribute. Although text displayed in a graphic can be more visually appealing, a search engine cannot read it. Therefore, all graphics on a page should include an Alt Attribute for search engines and text readers. According to web standards, an Alt Attribute is required for every image and graphic on the page. I recommend this as well - no image on your website should be without an Alt Attribute.

Ask questions or post comments about Image Alt Attributes here.

Posted on Mon, June 21, 2010 by Christopher Nelson

7 comments (Add your own)

1. Roberta Ackerman wrote:: Super book! Since downloading you new eBook, “Search Engine Optimization: Do It Yourself”, I have been going over my website with a fine tooth comb and much to my surprise, I have a lot to fix.

I am working on my ALT tags for all of my photos. Is it beneficial to use some of my keywords from the page and incorporate them into the ALT tags? How long can ALT tags be? Is it better is they are short?

Thanks again for writing the guide - it's both helpful and easy to use. It is amazing all of the little details that go into SEO.
Thu, August 5, 2010 @ 2:18 AM
2. Christopher Nelson wrote:: Hello Roberta, thanks for getting the guide!

As far as ALT Attributes are concerned, yes it is beneficial to use keywords in them, that is if they are still explaining what the picture is or the concept behind it in some way. You don't want to have a picture of a rose and have the ALT say, "Best Vacuum Cleaners Ever". While the search engines probably won't know the difference, using keywords in Alt Attributes like that is just... lame. :)

So, get an image that works or is at least ambiguous. Name it after your preferred keyword, and name the Alt Attribute the same. That way you build relevancy.

As far as the length of Alt Attributes, I would suggest not going over one sentence. Keep it short and simple!

Thanks for the questions!
Thu, August 5, 2010 @ 2:23 AM
3. Jeffrey Nichols wrote:: Is far as navigation menus go, is it better for SEO to use text links, or will image links work just as well as long as you use the alt attributes effectively?
Mon, November 15, 2010 @ 6:50 PM
4. Christopher Nelson wrote:: Traditionally I'd say that real text links would be considered better. However, if your images are named logically and they include relevant alt attributes, you should be good to go. Logically, it *should* be just as good if not better, depending on the search engine in question.

As you can see I use images for the main navigation on this site. However, I also include text links in the footer as well as in some of the sidebar content. So, just make sure that search engines have multiple ways to get to your pages and that they're all logically named.
Tue, November 16, 2010 @ 2:24 AM
5. Harry wrote:: Hi Christopher,

I trust you can help me with my issue. I have alt atributes for all the images on my homepage, but when I run a report I still get that 22 images don't have the "Alt Attribute"

Can you please have a look at www.bingofind.com and tell me for example what the problem might be for the Join Now images I have?

Your help is highly appreciated as I cannot for the life of me figure this one out.

Thanks
Fri, July 22, 2011 @ 8:07 AM
6. Christopher Nelson wrote:: Hi Harry,

It looks like the reporting tool you are using is also crawling your uploaded image folders (images that may or may not even be used on the site). I'm not sure why that's happening, but trust me when I say that Google, Yahoo, and Bing are smart enough to know the difference. You're good to go!

Thanks for the comment!
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Fri, March 23, 2012 @ 9:00 PM

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