Alt tags, also known as “alt attributes” or “alt descriptions,” are an essential aspect of both search engine optimisation (SEO) and accessibility. This post will cover what alt tags are, their function, and how to effectively use them to improve your website’s SEO and accessibility.
Where To Start?
First, let’s define what alt tags are. Alt tags are HTML attributes that provide a text description of an image on a web page. They are used to give information on the image to users and search engines, and they can also be used to improve the accessibility of a web page. Alt tags are important for SEO because they can target specific keywords and improve the visibility of a web page in search results. Additionally, alt tags are important for accessibility because they can make a web page more accessible to users with visual impairments.
Tips & Tricks
Creating compelling and descriptive alt tags is an essential step in using alt tags to improve your website’s SEO and accessibility. The best practices for creating alt tags include keeping them concise, accurate and descriptive, as well as including keywords relevant to the image and the page’s overall content. Avoiding generic phrases such as “image” or “photo” is crucial.
Using alt tags for SEO is also essential in optimising your website. Alt tags can target specific keywords and improve the visibility of a web page in search results. Additionally, using alt tags to optimise images helps build backlinks and increase the overall visibility of your website.
Utilising alt tags for accessibility is also a crucial aspect of web design and development. Alt tags can be used to make a web page more accessible to users with visual impairments by providing a text description of an image. This can help to improve the overall user experience and meet accessibility guidelines.
Tools At Your Disposal
Lastly, it’s essential to validate and check your alt tags to ensure they are correctly implemented and to identify and fix any issues. Various tools are available to validate and check alt tags, such as W3C HTML validator, WAVE, and browser extensions like Accessibility Insights.
Final Thoughts
In conclusion, alt tags are an essential aspect of SEO and accessibility. By understanding what alt tags are, their function, and how to use them effectively, you can improve your website’s SEO, increase the visibility of your website, and improve the user experience for all users. Remember, regularly check your alt tags to ensure they are correctly implemented and to identify and fix any issues that might arise.
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