using image Alt text for seo
richard wrote:I am starting utilize alt text in my images for SEO purposes (better late than never I suppose). But I have a few questions I want to clear up before I go and mess something up.
- Is it possible to over optimize the alt text? I'm not planning on doing any keyword stuffing, but i would like to make the alt text something like "keyword @ mysite.com" would this be beneficial (most of the images don't link to anything, one just gives a larger view on click)?
- I also I have images on my site that link to competitors in a price compairison section, would it be wise to leave the alt text out for those images or to have something like "compare and save @ mysite.com?"
Thanks in advance.
Best regards.
The best advice I can give is to make sure that your alt tags describe the image they are attached to. Don't stray too far from that. If you have an image that is a spacer, don't stuff those. If nothing is in the image just have an alt="" - it'll satisfy the compliancy checks. As for pictures with no text, try to describe what they are describing using good words. If the image as text, use that text. Be as natural as possible.
As for links to your competitors, I know you don't want to "help" them, but share the love. It's called karma. :) If you MUST ... link to them using "website" or "see their site" - something nondescript. But the alt text for one link won't do much. The better they are the more you might have to bargain with down the line in your own link building. :)
