Alt Tag Question - Has This Been Addressed Before?

Hey folks - looking forward to comments on this please.

Say I have a site with a LOGO or HEADER on EVERY page.
Say 15 pages for sake of argument.

Let's say HEADER.

Every page has unique and different content... but the graphical header is the same on every page... and it LINKS back to the index on every page.

Q > Should the ALT TAG on each different page REFLECT the content on that page OR should it be the same/consistent with the INDEX PAGE?

It seems to to me that ALT TAG is designed to be HELPFUL for on-page stuff, but do SEs consider it "bad" to have 15 DIFFERENT alt tags pointing to the same index page???

What think you?

Thanks.
Mike

 

Thanks Shannon,

What about where it's a LOGO (clickable back to index) on EVERY page?

Are you saying that the alt tag should only describe the image?
And not something like... ABC Company - Widgets, Widgets and Other Stuff (that clicks back to the index page)

Is it just a good idea to AVOID alt tags on "clickable images?"

Thanks again!
Mike

 

--------Reread your post, I personally would go with either no alt tag or using your page name for the alt on different subjects linking back to the main page unless you have one main subject you are trying to attack on the main page you could possibly use that on every page, just like a category link in your menu.

 

Thanks for the feedback.

So, is it safe to say that:

Alt tag text on a clickable image is NOT the same (or even close) to anchor text?

I agree (if not sure - avoid using alt tags), but I would like to be sure - if possible.

Thanks again,

 

It is the closest to anchor text you can get with a clickable image.

Do you have a particular website you are asking these questions on that you could pm or post the link to?

 

I do.

It's http://www.sackville.biz

If you go into a directory category page.
You will see ALL the category listings on the right.

Each one is different and EACH ALT TAG on the HEADER is DIFFERENT (based on the PAGE TOPIC/CONTENT)

The HEADER on each page goes back to the index page.

Should the alt tag > reflect the page content or WHERE it's clicking to??? OR as Shannon pointed out > just reflect what the image is???

THANKS,
Mike

P.S. I built/ am building that directory by HAND - DON'T LAUGH PLEASE :wink:

 

Hi since the directory is for services in a town how about having the alt be 'town name' or possibly town name and country name as that is the main focus of the site overall. This is probally the route that I personally would go.

Also personally I like the page, easy to read and navigate.

 

THANKS.

An excellent idea.

Mike