Optimizing Images for SEO with Alt Text
To begin optimising your images for search engine optimisation (SEO), it's essential to understand the role that alt text plays in this process, as it provides a vital description of the visual content on your webpage. When creating alt text for your images, start by selecting a brief phrase that accurately describes the main subject or theme of the image. The ideal length for alt text is around 125 characters, although some search engines can display longer descriptions without affecting rankings. Include relevant keywords from your webpage's content in the alt text to help search engines understand the context and relevance of the image. It's also a good idea to use descriptive words rather than generic phrases, such as "image of a happy child" instead of simply "happy child".
Getting Started
Key Considerations
When optimising images for SEO with alt text, it's essential to consider the relevance and accuracy of the description. The alt text should provide a concise summary of the image content, including keywords that accurately represent the subject matter. Using descriptive language and avoiding generic phrases is crucial to ensure the alt text provides value to both users and search engines alike. It's also worth noting that the ideal length for alt text varies from 125-150 characters, after which it may not be fully displayed in search engine results pages (SERPs). By incorporating meaningful and concise alt text into your image optimisation strategy, you can improve your website's visibility and credibility.
Practical Steps
To effectively optimise your images for search engine optimisation (SEO), start by reviewing existing images and adding relevant alt text, which should be a concise description of the image's content without being overly redundant or promotional. This will help search engines understand the context of each image and improve discoverability in image search results. It is also essential to ensure that your alt text is accurate, informative and includes target keywords where possible. Additionally, consider using descriptive file names for your images and compressing them to reduce their size, as this will not only improve performance but also make it easier to manage a large collection of images.
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes good alt text?
A short, accurate description of what the image shows in plain language. It should help a screen-reader user understand the picture, not list keywords.
Should decorative images have alt text?
No. Purely decorative images should have an empty alt attribute so screen readers skip them rather than reading out an unnecessary description.
Does alt text help SEO?
Yes, it gives search engines context and helps images rank in image search, but its primary purpose is accessibility, which should guide how you write it.
Writing Useful Alt Text
Alt text describes an image for people using screen readers and for search engines that cannot see the picture. Write a short, accurate description of what the image shows, in plain language. If the image is meaningful to the content, include relevant detail; if it is purely decorative, an empty alt attribute is correct so screen readers skip it. Avoid stuffing keywords, which reads badly aloud and can look manipulative. Good alt text serves accessibility first and SEO follows.
A Worked Example
A product photo of a blue leather handbag on a wooden table gets the alt text "blue leather handbag on a wooden table" rather than "handbag bag purse cheap buy leather". The honest description helps a visually impaired shopper understand the image and gives search engines accurate context for image search, while the keyword-stuffed version would help no one and could count against the page.
Common Alt Text Mistakes
- Leaving alt text blank on meaningful images that carry information.
- Stuffing keywords instead of describing the picture.
- Writing "image of" at the start, which screen readers already announce.
- Using the same generic alt text on many different images.
Beyond Alt Text
Alt text is one part of image optimisation. Also compress files so they load quickly, use descriptive file names such as blue-handbag.jpg rather than IMG_2048.jpg, choose modern formats where supported, and size images correctly for their display area. Together these steps improve page speed, help images rank in image search, and make the page more accessible, all of which support the wider goal of a fast, findable site.
As you refine your website's on-page SEO, remember to always consider mobile responsiveness, as it now accounts for more than 50% of all online searches worldwide. — Editor, EnlightenIt