Need help optimizing your alt text for SEO?
I’ve got you covered. My name is Connor Gillivan. I’m an SEO Expert and long-time Entrepreneur.
In this article, I’ll break down 12 best practices to optimize your alt text for SEO.
Alt text is content that describes the images used on your website for Google and visually impaired users.
For example: You write a blog article about SEO keyword research and you include multiple photos showing off different SEO keyword research tools and people working on computers.
If you don’t give the photos an “alt text” then Google has no way of knowing what the photo is about as they crawl your content.
The “alt text” gives Google a description of what the image is depicting in text form.
Google can then understand it and add it into its algorithm as it analyzes and ranks your pages on search.
See the power of alt text now?
It’s one of the most overlooked aspects of SEO and most websites don’t have any alt text for their photos. Big mistake!
So, let’s dive right into it and talk about how you can optimize your alt text for SEO.
The Ultimate SEO Alt Text Guide
1. Be Descriptive
- Clearly describe the image content.
- Include relevant details that add context.
2. Keep It Short
- Aim for 8-12 words.
- Avoid lengthy or overly complex descriptions.
3. Include Keywords Naturally
- Use relevant SEO keywords without stuffing.
- Ensure keywords fit the image description.
4. Avoid “Image of” or “Picture of”
- Get straight to the point.
- Screen readers already know it’s an image.
5. Be Specific
- Mention exactly what the image shows.
- Provide details if it’s crucial to the content.
6. Focus on Function for Links
- Describe the purpose if the image is a link.
- Indicate where the link leads, e.g., “Read our blog.”
7. Context Matters
- Ensure the ALT text fits the page’s content.
- Explain the image’s relevance to the text.
8. Avoid Redundancy
- Don’t repeat information already in captions.
- Add value without duplicating content.
9. Use for Non-Decorative Images
- Provide ALT text only for meaningful images.
- Leave ALT blank for purely decorative visuals.
10. Describe Text in Images
- For images with embedded text, include it.
- Mention key points or phrases visible in the image.
11. Consider Accessibility
- Write for users relying on screen readers.
- Focus on clarity and helpfulness.
12. Test ALT Text Performance
- Review if ALT text helps SEO and accessibility.
- Continuously optimize based on user feedback.
Action Items
- Conduct an ALT text audit to ensure all images have meaningful, descriptive ALT text.
- Incorporate natural SEO keywords into ALT descriptions without overloading or stuffing.
- Regularly test ALT text performance for accessibility and search optimization improvements.
- Update ALT text for any outdated or redundant entries, ensuring they align with the content’s context.
- Provide clear and concise ALT text, especially for images with text or links.
FAQs
Why is ALT text important for SEO and accessibility?
ALT text improves accessibility by describing images for visually impaired users who rely on screen readers. It also boosts SEO by providing search engines with additional context about the image, helping your site rank for relevant keywords. Well-written ALT text benefits both users and search engines.
How do I write effective ALT text for images?
Effective ALT text should describe the image content clearly and concisely. Use keywords naturally, but avoid keyword stuffing. Focus on the image’s function, context, and relevance to the content while keeping descriptions short and precise.
Should I include ALT text for decorative images?
No, ALT text is not necessary for purely decorative images. Leaving ALT text blank for these visuals helps screen readers skip unnecessary information, improving user experience. Use ALT text only for images that add meaning or value to the content.
Can ALT text impact search engine rankings?
Yes, ALT text contributes to your SEO strategy by associating keywords with images, which can improve visibility in image search results. Properly optimized ALT text also enhances page relevance and helps search engines understand your content better.
How often should I update ALT text?
Regularly review ALT text, especially when updating content or auditing SEO performance. Ensure descriptions are accurate, relevant, and aligned with any new keyword strategies. Updating ALT text periodically keeps your content fresh and accessible.
Thoughts and Outro
Alt text is often overlooked by SEOs, writers, and business owners.
It’s one of those “small” details that is easy to forget about, but it can make a BIG impact on your SEO.
If Google can’t “read” any of the photos you have on your website, it’s a waste to have them on your site other than for visual design purposes.
Tap into the power of “alt text” and make your photos visible to Google.
The more effort you put in here, the more you’ll get out of it as Google crawls your website content.
Still have questions about alt text? Shoot me an email or find me on LinkedIn and Twitter/X.
My name is Connor Gillivan. I’m on a mission to make SEO and digital marketing simpler for millions.
Thanks for reading and I hope you learned something new.
See you in the next article!
Best,
Connor
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