This often overlooked field not only improves web positioning through image searches on Google, but is also an essential aspect for web accessibility, something that the major search engine values highly.
So, Alt Text is not just another field you need to adjust on your website. If you optimize it well, it can give an extra boost to your organic positioning. Read on to learn how to make the most of it.
Alt Text is an HTML tag in which text is added to describe the content of an image displayed on the Internet . However, this text is not shown to the general user, but is intended for search engine crawling bots.
Although it is not visible to the user, it is crucial for search engines, as it allows them to understand what the image is about. It is also essential for web accessibility , since screen readers use this information to describe images to visually impaired people.
This text should be What is Alt Text and how does it help your website’s SEO? Good practices to optimize it
Alt Text for images is different from the title you give them when you upload them to the site. The title is the name of the file that helps identify it in the gallery, while the alternative text describes the content of the photo to make it more understandable.
Therefore, alternative text is another check or task to be performed within On Page SEO , in general, and SEO for images , in particular.
Why is Alt Text key in SEO for images?
When used correctly, alt text has a positive impact on your website’s SEO. So, let’s take a look at the benefits of optimizing this aspect of images.
1. Improve indexing
By including alt text describing an image, search engines can better understand the niche or topic of that content – and your website in general. This allows them to more accurately know which search results to display the image in.
Promotes keyword What is Alt Text and how does it help your website’s SEO? Good practices to optimize it
It is standard practice to use keywords from your content within the Alt Text. Of course, as long as it is done in a natural way. The more keywords you use in your content, the better your website relates to the topic and the better it ranks for it.
3. Help with user experience when there are loading errors
In cases where loading errors occur for whatever reason, Alt Text can save the day. When the image is not displayed properly, descriptive text appears instead. Thanks to this, the user can at least know what the photo is about.
4. Make your website accessible
An accessible website means that it can be used by visually impaired users. Specialized programs can read the Alt Text and help users better understand the information.
By having this option, Google gives additional value to your website by thinking about users with certain characteristics, which can help you gain a prominent position when users with disabilities perform searches.
A phone number library is fundamentally an archive, a well-curated list of phone numbers that fills in gaps in people’s lives and communities. However, what occurs if we delve further? Consider Sarah as an example. a young, ambitious phone number library businesswoman in her late 20s who just started an environmentally friendly company to cut down on plastic waste.
Best practices to optimize your Alt Text
Writing alternative text for images is not too complicated, but it is important to keep in mind these tips that will help you do it well:
1. Take care of the language
Remember that you are writing for people, not for the search engine. Therefore, use simple language that is not too technical, clear and easy to understand.
2. Include keywords, but don’t over-optimize
Alt Text also improves SEO, as search engines use it to understand the content of images. However, it is important to include keywords naturally, without forcing them.
Example:
If your page is about “digital marketing tools,” you could describe an infographic image related to that topic, adding the keyword organically.
Don’t make the mistake of overusing
Keywords by including them in an unnatural way or as simple filler to create greater compatibility with the topic. Also, don’t create a description english seo that is too specific, which makes it too long.
Remember that photos are actually a complement to the content you are already explaining on that page.
3. It is not mandatory to use Alt Text
That’s right, although Alt Text can help you improve SEO, you should analyze whether it is actually necessary to use it. For example, some images are only decorative within the content, in that case it is better to leave that space blank.
4. Copy the text from the image into the Alt Text
If you have any relevant informative text inside the image, include it in the Alt Text. This is a way to complement the description of the photo canada email lead more precisely, especially if it is a topic that requires a detailed explanation.
Don’t use the terms “photo” or “image”
Using expressions like “in the photo” or “image of” to let disabled users know what the file is about is unnecessary. The same specialized tools already recognize the file and indicate it to the user.
So using these expressions does not contribute anything and takes away space that you could use to add something more relevant.
Example:
an writing in a notebook.»
6. Describe the image as if it were not going to be shown
Remember that Alt Text may be displayed if the photo does not load properly, so you should describe it well enough so that the user does not miss any important content. The idea is to serve as a backup plan in case an error occurs.
But the most important reason is so that disabled users can truly understand the image and fully comprehend the explanation of the topic in general.
Alternative text should accurately explain
What is shown in the image, providing a clear description for people with visual impairments or who cannot view the image. Avoid being vague or generic.
Example:
A woman smiling while working on her laptop in a park.”
How to add Alt Text to images?
Adding alt text to images isn’t very complicated, although it can vary significantly from CMS to CMS, and between web platforms.
Therefore, we are going to explain how to do it in one of the most used systems in the world.
In WordPress you can do it in two ways:
The first is when you upload the image for the first time. From the editor window, open the Image Settings function . There you will see a small box where you must add the alternative text.
How to put alt text?
Of course, keep in mind that if you use a layout builder or design template, it may give you more options for adding Alt Text to images.
The other way to do it in
WordPress is if you already have the image uploaded to the library.
Just find it and click on it. A floating window will appear with a side box with a line that says “Alternative text”. In it, add the description of the photo.
