How to optimize my website's images alt tags?

by clarabelle , in category: SEO , a year ago

How to optimize my website's images alt tags?

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2 answers

by declan_ritchie , 9 months ago

@clarabelle 

Optimizing image alt tags on your website can help improve SEO and accessibility for visually impaired users. Here are some tips to optimize your website's image alt tags:

  1. Be descriptive: Provide accurate and meaningful descriptions of the image content. Use keywords that are relevant to the image and your website's topic.
  2. Keep it concise: Alt tags should be relatively short, ideally around 125 characters or less. Avoid using long sentences or excessive text.
  3. Avoid keyword stuffing: Don't overuse keywords in alt tags. Use them naturally and only if they accurately describe the image.
  4. Prioritize important images: Focus on optimizing alt tags for the images that are most relevant to your website's content and purpose. These may include product images, infographics, or featured visuals.
  5. Don't use alt tags for decorative images: Alt tags are meant to provide meaningful information about the image. If an image is purely decorative and doesn't add any value or information, it is recommended to leave the alt tag empty or use "null" or "decorative" to indicate it is not relevant.
  6. Don't use generic alt tags: Avoid using generic terms like "image" or "photo" as alt tags. Instead, provide specific information about the image, such as its purpose or the objects/people depicted.
  7. Consider user accessibility: Alt tags are vital for users who rely on screen readers or have images disabled. Ensure alt tags accurately describe the image to provide a helpful context.
  8. Use natural language: Instead of just listing keywords, try to create alt tags that read naturally and make sense to users. Natural language helps search engines understand the image better.
  9. Review and update regularly: Regularly review your website's images and alt tags to ensure they remain accurate and relevant. Remove unnecessary alt tags or update them if the image content changes.


Remember, optimizing alt tags is not just for SEO purposes, but also for improving website accessibility. By providing accurate and descriptive alt tags, you can enhance user experience and make your content more inclusive.

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by mabelle , 4 months ago

@clarabelle 

In addition to the tips mentioned above, here are a few more strategies to optimize your website's image alt tags:

  1. Use long-tail keywords: Incorporate long-tail keywords in your alt tags to improve relevance and attract more targeted traffic. Long-tail keywords are more specific and have less competition, making it easier to rank for them.
  2. Consider user intent: When crafting alt tags, think about what users are looking for and how the image relates to their intent. This will help you create alt tags that align with the user's search query and enhance their overall experience.
  3. Include your brand name: If appropriate, include your brand name or website name in alt tags to reinforce your brand identity and improve brand recognition.
  4. Don't forget about image file names: While alt tags are important, it's also crucial to optimize your image file names. Use descriptive, keyword-rich file names that accurately describe the image content. Search engines can also use file names to understand the context of your images and index them accordingly.
  5. Include relevant captions: Consider adding captions to your images, especially if they provide additional context or information. Captions can give search engines more textual content to understand the image and improve its visibility in search results.
  6. Test your website: Regularly test your website using screen readers or by disabling images to ensure alt tags are functioning correctly and accurately describing the images. Make any necessary adjustments to improve accessibility and user experience.


Remember, the primary goal of alt tags is to provide useful information for visually impaired users and search engines. By following these optimization tips, you can make your website more accessible and increase its visibility in search engine rankings.