Alt Tag

Definition

An “Alt Tag”, also known as the “Alt Attribute” or “Alt Description,” is a brief text description that can be added to an image’s HTML code to describe the appearance and function of that image on a webpage. This tag acts as a replacement for the image if it cannot be displayed or rendered, helping users understand the content even without the visual context.

Alt Tag Relevance For SEO

Alt Tags are crucial for SEO for a number of reasons. Search engines such as Google cannot interpret images, but they can read text. Therefore, alt tags provide a textual context to images, which can help them improve a page’s ranking in search results. Furthermore, Alt Tags are crucial for improving web accessibility, since visually impaired users depend on them to understand image content thanks to screen readers. This adherence to accessibility standards further enhances a website’s SEO and overall user experience.

Alt Tag Best Practices for SEO

To effectively use Alt Tags for SEO, follow these best practices:

• Be Descriptive: Describe the image in a manner that communicates its purpose on the page. Be thorough but concise.
• Use Keywords: If appropriate, include important SEO keywords in the alt tag. However, be careful not to keyword-stuff. The main purpose of the alt tag should always be describing the content of the image – any use of keywords should always be relevant and natural.
• Avoid Redundancy: Avoid phrases like “image of,” or “picture of,” as screen readers already announce the image. Go straight to describing the essential elements of the photograph instead.
• Ensure All Important Images Have Alt Tags: Prioritize images that convey important content or functionality. Decorative or redundant images can have empty alt attributes (alt=””).