ALT text for SEO? Alternative text, known as  “alt attributes” or “alt descriptions” are used to identify and describe the appearance and functions of an image displayed on a website. By adding alternative text to photos and images you improve the web accessibility of your website. Alt text is written in HTML, here is an example: <img src=”pigs_playing.png” alt=”Pigs Playing”> Visually impaired visitors typically use screen readers and alt attributes are read aloud to better comprehend what the on-page image or photo is about. Alternative text will replace an image if said image file cannot be loaded, or is loading slow. Alternative text provide search engines with more information about images, helping crawlers to index your images better. To best describe how to use ALT text, close your eyes and have someone read your ALT text to you. If you can imagine something which is reasonably accurate to your image, you’re on the right. When creating ALT tags it is best not to attempt to stuff keywords within, a natural description is all that’s required. Optimal use Lets look at a few examples of ALT text for these awesome soccer playing pigs.           OKAY:<img src=”pigs_playing.png” alt=”Pigs”> The above ALT text is okay because it is not very descriptive. All this ALT text would imply is a photo or image of pigs.           BETTER:<img src=”pigs_playing_soccer.png” alt=”Several pigs playing with a soccer ball”> The above ALT text is a better example of use. You begin to get a clearer understanding of the image and what is going on within. Overall ALT text benefits SEO and the overall usage and accessibility of your website. We provide alternative text optimization as part of our search engine marketing packages and on page SEO. Alternative texts are just one … Continue reading What is ‘ALT’ text used for?