What is an alt tag?
An alt tag, also known as an “alternative tag” or “alt attribute,” is a basic but important piece of information used in HTML code to describe pictures on a website. It’s purpose-built for accessibility, assisting those with visual impairments or those using assistive technology like screen readers to comprehend what the picture signifies.
When a browser sees an image containing an alt tag, the text description is shown instead of the picture itself. This enables individuals who cannot see the picture to understand its meaning and context. Alt tags are text snippets that replace pictures when they cannot be shown or viewed.
Are alt tags a ranking factor?
Yes, alt tags do affect search engine results. While alt tags are not as potent a ranking factor as the primary text content on a site, they do play a role in SEO, especially in image search results.
Search engines, such as Google, use alt tags to help them comprehend the content and context of pictures on a site. When you employ descriptive and relevant alt tags for your photographs, search engines can better understand what the images are about, increasing their chances of appearing in image search results.
Alt tags can help your website’s overall accessibility. By including text explanations of photos, you make your site more accessible and user-friendly for users who have visual impairments or use screen readers. Search engines value this emphasis on accessibility because they seek to provide a pleasant user experience to all users, regardless of their ability.
However, it’s vital to remember that utilizing keywords in alt tags exclusively for SEO reasons might be seen as manipulative and can harm your results. Like with any SEO technique, the goal is to utilize alt tags honestly and wisely, offering accurate descriptions that benefit both people and search engines.
How do you type alt text in SEO?
Alt text is an attribute that is added to an image tag’s HTML code. Here’s a step-by-step instruction for creating alt text for an image:
1. Find the image tag:
Look for the HTML code displaying the picture to which you wish to add alt text. The image tag is often preceded by “img” and ends with a closing “>.”
2. Include the alt attribute:
Include the “alt” element inside the picture tag. alt=”your alt text goes here” should be the format. Replace “your alt text goes here” with wording that is short and clear of what the picture depicts.
Things to keep in mind while adding alt tags:
1. Maintain relevancy and descriptiveness:
Correctly express the image’s content or purpose when creating alt text. Consider the image’s context and how it links to the surrounding material.
2. Avoid keyword stuffing:
Using relevant keywords when describing a picture is important, but don’t go overboard. Alt text should be natural and beneficial to consumers rather than just a place to dump keywords for SEO reasons.
3. Check for precision:
Ensure that your alt text appropriately describes the picture. If you have numerous photos on a page, make sure each alt tag has a unique and relevant description for each image.
