When using ALT tags - are spaces, hyphens or underscores preferred by Google when using multiple words?

[BrooklynCruiser]

when plugging ALT tags into images, does Google prefer spaces, hyphens, or underscores?  I know with filenames, hyphens or underscores are preferred and spaces are replaced with %20.

Thoughts?

Thanks!

[sierragarcia]

When using ALT tags for images, it's generally best to use hyphens to separate multiple words in the text. Google and other search engines tend to interpret hyphens as word separators, which can help improve the accessibility and SEO of your web content. While underscores can also be used, hyphens are the more widely accepted and recommended practice. Spaces should be avoided, as they might not work as expected in all situations, as you mentioned, they can be replaced with "%20" in URLs. Using hyphens in ALT tags ensures better readability and consistency.

[educationedge012]

Google prefers hyphens (-) as word separators in ALT tags when using multiple words. Using hyphens helps improve the readability and search engine optimization of the ALT text for images. For example, if you have an image related to project management professionals, it's better to use "project-management-professionals" in the ALT tag rather than spaces or underscores. This practice helps search engines understand the content of the image more accurately. (PMP Exam Prep) (Project Management Professional)

[Moodesburn1991]

When it comes to using multiple words in ALT tags, there isn't a strict preference by Google for specific characters like spaces, hyphens, or underscores. Google's algorithms are designed to understand various formats and interpret them accordingly. However, it is generally recommended to use hyphens or underscores to separate multiple words in ALT tags, as they can improve readability for both search engines and users. Using either hyphens or underscores creates distinct word boundaries and makes it easier for search engines like Google to recognize and index the content accurately. Ultimately, the most important aspect is to provide descriptive and relevant ALT text to enhance accessibility and user experience.

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[Abbasdms]

Google prefers hyphens to spaces or underscores in alt tags when using multiple words. This is because hyphens are more descriptive and easier for screen readers to understand.

For example, the alt text "black cat" is more descriptive and informative than "black_cat" or "black cat".

[MOODYBUTTAR]

Google recommends using hyphens (-) to separate words in ALT tags when using multiple words. This helps improve the accessibility and SEO of your images by making them more readable and understandable for both search engines and users.

[gravymatt-se]

YES!!!!

Always use lowercase for filenames because if you use Upper and Lower (sometimes called camel case) for your internal and menu linking Google will crawl it and index the U&l. Then the fun begins when you have to match your sitemap to that!

[rhutchings]

1. File names- always use the hyphen.

2. Alt Text - use spaces and normal word structure.  Ryan is correct on the technical intent behind the alt tag, but it can also be a good SEO tool, and you should treat those as exact phrase keywords.  So nobody is searching for "city-bikes", they are searching for "city bikes".  The alt tag should be what the user will put into google.

[Alex-Harford]

Yes, use hyphens for filenames, and lower case.

[BrooklynCruiser]

Thanks Ryan- so as with filenames, is it advantageous to us:

City-Bikes

or

City Bikes

with filenames, I am told preference is for city-bikes.jpg rather than "city bikes.jpg"

[RyanKent]

Ryan, it depends on your site design but you are correct.

Link Titles will appear when you hover your mouse over the link.

Alt tags are designed to display a text description for those who cannot see the image, such as visually impaired readers or crawlers. You can simply type as you would normally with spaces.

Alt tags do have a SEO significance, as do the image's file name. Both can be used to associate keywords or phrases with your web page, as well as the image search vertical.

[James77]

It will probably show the link title if the image is wrapped in a link tag and you have no alt tag. Alt tags do have SEO significance - and they do show when you hover on an image. Use normal text

[BrooklynCruiser]

I am confused - I thought what you see when you hover is the Link Title - at least that's how my site has been functioning.

Does alt tag on images not have any SEO significance?

[James77]

The Alt tag is primarily there for usaility - ie when you hover the user can see the alt information. Therefore write how you would write normal text