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SEO Definitions
And Terms – ALT Tag
Webmasters have been told for years that search
engines place a lot of weight on the ALT text of
images. The result has been that these tags have
been crammed full of keywords, providing virtually
no useful information. The main aim of the ALT tag
is twofold.
First is an issue of display. Some browsers do not
display images and in these instances, the ALT text
will show instead. It also shows while the graphic
is loading. Modern Internet and browser technology
as well as the increasing use of broadband means
this has become less of an issue. However, not
everyone uses high spec computers or the most
advanced broadband connections. You should create a
website that is accessible, useful, and legible to
as many people as possible.
Secondly, and where the real money lies, is in
compliance. The World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) as
well as governmental acts like the Americans with
Disabilities Act (ADA) set out clear guidelines for
websites to follow. These guidelines enable sites to
give easy access to all Internet users. In this
case, ALT text is generally used for the visually
impaired surfers that have page text read out loud
to them by browser software. Keyword crammed ALT
tags can sometimes consist of a list of keywords
that take over a minute to be read out. Not
appealing by any stretch of the imagination.
As the search engines have evolved their algorithms
they have attempted to cut out black hat SEO
strategies including ALT spamming. This means that
very little, or absolutely no weight is now given to
the inclusion of keywords in the ALT tag. Provide
text that is genuinely useful to all your visitors,
making it short, concise, and to the point. If this
gives opportunity to include one of your keywords
then do so by all means. The search engines do
change their algorithms regularly, after all.
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