Is alt text inside an img tag inside an h1 the same weight as text directly inside the h1?

[Avalara]

Right now I use a background image and CSS to tie the h1 tag to my logo on each page. However, I am concerned that may not be best practice. Plus, I am interested in using schema markup on my logo.

So, my question is, if I use an image with alt text inside my h1 tag, will the alt text carry as much weight as a text-based h1?

[spencerhjustice]

I took a look at your site and your wording is slightly deceiving. You're not using alt img text. Your're using text inside of an <a>tag (aka a link) and then using css to overlay your logo. To use alt img text the image would have to be coded with an tag into your html, which it looks like it is but is currently commented out and not showing.</a>

<a>Either way you look at it, at least in my opinion, your h1 should never be the same on every single page. There should be one on each page and it should be unique to that page. The h1 is supposed to be the main heading/title of the page and essentially you're telling google that the main title of every single page on your website is your brand name, which is incorrect.

I'm not saying that leaving the brand name tied to your logo is wrong, but I don't think that it should be in a sitewide h1 tag.</a>

[evan89]

Hey Steven,

My understanding is that alt text has "similar" value as regular text. This is the language that was used in Google's SEO Starter Guide. I don't think that it carries the same weight, because they aren't using language like "identical" or "the same", they are using vague terms like "similar".

If you make your alt text descriptive, it will still have value.

Hope that helps