Keyword in alt tag and future G Updates
-
Hello,
I notice that it is common practice to put the page's keywords directly into an alt tag.
I don't see how this helps the user and how it helps the user using screen readers and such.
Do you think future G updates will slightly penalize pages with alt tags that are just the page's keywords and not a helpful phrase? What do you recommend to put in alt tags in light of future G updates?
-
Hi Bob,
It probably wouldn't be hard for Google to go after sites with over-optimized alt tags - although I'm not sure they would think it's worth their time.
What I generally do with alt tags is try to describe the image and if possible, include keyword(s) naturally. If you're picking out relevant images for your site, this shouldn't be too hard, but I wouldn't try to stuff keywords into every little icon.
For example, if you have a computer repair website and the main image on your homepage is a technician working on a computer, you could use "computer repair services" as the alt tag, or if you wanted to be really descriptive, "technician repairing computer" wouldn't be bad either. But you probably don't want to force a keyword into a phone icon next your contact information.
The point of alt tags is to describe images that search engine bots can't see. So as long as you are being descriptive and not stuffing keywords for the sake of stuffing keywords, you should be fine.
Hope this helps.
Tim
-
I suggest writing for the reader.
1. if its for the reader you keep them on said page
2. write for the bots, the bots may bite.
Got a burning SEO question?
Subscribe to Moz Pro to gain full access to Q&A, answer questions, and ask your own.
Browse Questions
Explore more categories
-
Moz Tools
Chat with the community about the Moz tools.
-
SEO Tactics
Discuss the SEO process with fellow marketers
-
Community
Discuss industry events, jobs, and news!
-
Digital Marketing
Chat about tactics outside of SEO
-
Research & Trends
Dive into research and trends in the search industry.
-
Support
Connect on product support and feature requests.
Related Questions
-
Massive rank drop on one particular keyword
As all other marketeers do I follow closely my keywords, one particular keyword has ranked continually at #2 and has suddenly dropped to +#60, but all others remain the same. We are a fairly large site in terms of numbers 9m views annually, could it be possible that someone has black hatted that particular keyword, and if so how do I find out how and more importantly who?
White Hat / Black Hat SEO | | sususu0 -
Should i rank for one tail keyword or long tail keywords
Hi guys, for example i run a coupon site and would like to rank for the brand keyword ASOS, should i just rank for the long tail keywords for example "ASOS discount code" instead of just "ASOS"? even the traffic for ASOS itself is MUCH higher than ASOS discount code? And the relevancy of ranking at "ASOS" is fine too because is somehow relevant? would ranking long tail helps with one tail keyword too? And assuming that i am already on the second page for the keyword "ASOS" and knowing is not hard to be page one. should i just rank the one keyword?
White Hat / Black Hat SEO | | andzon0 -
Is horizontal hashtag linking between 4 different information text pages with a canonical tag to the URL with no hashtag, a White Hat SEO practice?
Hey guys, I need help. hope it is a simple question : if I have horizontal 4 text pages which you move between through hashtag links, while staying on the same page in user experience, can I canonical tag the URL free of hashtags as the canonical page URL ? is this white hat acceptable practice? and will this help "Adding the Value", search queries, and therefore rank power to the canonical URL in this case? hoping for your answers. Best Regards, and thanks in advance!
White Hat / Black Hat SEO | | Muhammad_Jabali0 -
Should you include keywords in your domain name to rank well on Google Places?
Is it okay to include keywords in your domain name (as well as business name) to rank well on Google Places? In my opinion, this is very spammy and the sites using this technique will be slapped by Google sooner or later.
White Hat / Black Hat SEO | | thegoatman1 -
Are Links from blogs with person using keyword anchor text a Penguin 2.0 issue?
Hello, I am continuing a complete clean up of a clients link profile and would like to know if Penguin is against links from blogs with the user including keywords as anchor text? So far I have been attempting to get them removed before I go for a disavow. An example would be the work clothing comment at the bottom of: http://www.fashionstyleyou.co.uk/beat-the-caffeine-rush.html/comment-page-1 I am also questioning if we should keep any link directories, so far I have been ruthless, but worry I will be losing a hell of a lot of links. For example I have kept the following: http://www.business-directory-uk.co.uk//clothing.htm Your comments are welcomed!
White Hat / Black Hat SEO | | MarzVentures0 -
We seem to have been hit by the penguin update can someone please help?
HiOur website www.wholesaleclearance.co.uk has been hit by the penguin update, I'm not a SEO expert and when I first started my SEO got court up buying blog links, that was about 2 years ago and since them and worked really hard to get good manual links.Does anyone know of a way to dig out any bad links so I can get them removed, any software that will give me a list of any of you guys want to do take a look for me? I'm willing to pay for the work.Kind RegardsKarl.
White Hat / Black Hat SEO | | wcuk0 -
Img alt tags and creating a small image in the background ? New Golf Clothing Company.
On a page I am trying to make it have a better on page analysis for a keyword. Is it worth creating a small image that you cant see in the background 5 pixels by 5 pixels with the keyword img alt, or does google see this negatively? I know they say to create good content for the reader / viewer but an image wouldnt be suitable as it is a category page within my ecommerce website. http://www.funktiongolf.co.uk/mens-golf-clothing-21-c.asp e.g Mens golf Clothing category
White Hat / Black Hat SEO | | funktiongolf0