Search Engine Optimisation - Image Alt Tags

Search engine optimisation doesn't stop at just content optimisation. Images can be used to enhance the relevence of certain keywords and phrases. This is done by optimising the alt tag used by each image. The purpose of the alt tag is for usability.

• In text based browsers instead of an image the alt tag is displayed.
• Some browsers use the alt tag for the image as a title where if you were to mouse over the image the alt tag content will pop up.

In a usability sence it is a good idea to add a relevent image title in the alt tag. This will increase the usability of the website which is on par in impotance as search engine optimisation.

Image Alt Tags for Search Engine Optimisation

Because alt tags are ideally used for giving a title of the contents of the image. That is why search engines use this tag in determining what the image is about and add this to the relevency of the page.

The problem is that people use this tag as a means to spam certain keywords and phrases. So recently the weighting of the alt tag has been reduced dramatically. But as I have said earlier "It might only have little weighting, but every little bit helps when it comes to search engine optimisation."

How to Optimise the Image Alt Tag?

Firstly you need your keywords and phrases that you want to be targetting. Have the content to match. Then in the alt tags start it off with a relevent keyword or phrase then expand on the description of the image. But don't make it too long as it is only intended to be consice.

Thats about it. Happy Search Engine Optimising