Sep 12, 2024

The Purpose of Alt Text for SEO

Alt text, short for "alternative text," is a crucial element of website accessibility and search engine optimization (SEO). Primarily used to describe images for users who are visually impaired, it also allows search engines to better understand and index images. When an image fails to load, alt text acts as a placeholder, giving users context about the image.

From an SEO perspective, alt text provides search engines with descriptive information about the content and relevance of an image, helping boost the image's discoverability through search engines like Google. Well-written alt text improves the chances of an image being found in search results, which can increase website traffic and enhance user engagement. More importantly, alt text adds to the overall relevance of the webpage in search engine algorithms, playing a subtle but important role in rankings.

What Makes Good Alt Text?

Good alt text is concise yet descriptive, providing enough detail to convey the content and purpose of an image without being overly wordy. It should include relevant keywords but not in a spammy or forced manner. The goal is to accurately describe the image while also keeping SEO in mind.

Here are examples of good vs. bad alt text for the same image:

Example: A picture of a rottweiler sitting next to a river after swimming.

Good Alt Text:

  1. “Rottweiler sitting on river beach after swimming.”
  2. “Happy rottweiler playing at a river.”

These examples are clear and to the point, describing exactly what the image shows and providing context with relevant details. They help visually impaired users understand the image while also incorporating keywords that improve SEO (e.g., "rottweiler" and "river").

Bad Alt Text:

  1. “Dog.”
  2. “A cute pet at the river having fun.”

The first example is too vague. Simply saying "dog" doesn’t provide enough detail about the breed, action, or setting. The second example, while somewhat descriptive, uses generic terms like “cute” and “fun,” which don’t contribute much to SEO. Neither option tells search engines or users enough about the image.

Tips for Effective Alt Text

  • Be descriptive but concise.
  • Use keywords relevant to the image and page, but avoid keyword stuffing.
  • Focus on what’s important about the image for context, especially for users who cannot see it.

Incorporating well-written alt text enhances both accessibility and SEO, helping ensure that your content is understood by users and search engines alike.

Digital Services
About
Contact
THE SQUID WAY

We do things differently at Squid, creating brands and experiences which evolve the way businesses are seen. We are based in Auckland, offering digital marketing, web design, web development, branding and content marketing across NZ and Australia

Terms of Engagement

Copyright 2022 Squid Group. All rights reserved.

Group