Same image file with different alt text?

[scanlin]

I have an image that represents 'widgets'. The image works for more than one kind of widget.

I have two pages, one optimized for 'blue widgets' and one optimized for 'red widgets'.

I would like to use the same 'widgets' image on both pages but change the alt text to be 'blue widgets' or 'red widgets' depending on the page it is used on.

Should I:

(1) use the same image on different pages with different alt text.

(2) duplicate the image file and have two copies 'red_widgets.jpg' and 'blue_widgets.jpg' and then use each copy on the page optimized for the corresponding phrase.

(3) create distinct, unique image files (where the pixels are different, not just the file names) for each kind of widget.

This is a simplified example of a larger SEO problem where I have 1 image that can be useful on 20 pages that are each optimized for 20 different phrases. Should I use the same image with 20 different alt tags, or create 20 identical (but renamed) copies of the image, or create 20 slightly different image files (with different pixels in each image)?

Thanks.

[CaseyKluver]

I think this also has something to do with user experience as well as SEO. You want to provide quality content for both Google and more importantly your user. Does this image provide value to your user?

If the image provides value to each of those "widgets" then you should use a different image on each page specific to "blue widgets", "red widgets", etc..

If the image isnt really needed for user value and your just using it fo SEO. I have used the same image on different pages WITH different file names with no problem before, like you sad "red_widgets.jpg" & "blue_widgets.jpg" can be the same file. An easy way to do this is to just duplicate and rename in FTP rather than saving new files in PS.

So either way I wouldn't use the same image with different ALT tags. Its worth it to go the extra mile on this one.